KAM Melbourne has confirmed its agreement to acquire a majority stake in the Western United Football Club and its parent company Western Melbourne Group.

Since launching in 2018, Western United Football Club (WUFC) has quickly made its mark on the pitch.

In 2019, Western Melbourne Group (WMG) and its group of investors set out with a bold vision: to create a vibrant, sports-led hub blending retail, residential living, and football in Melbourne’s west.

Their 62.5-hectare site in Tarneit, 25 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD is at the heart of a groundbreaking public-private partnership with Wyndham City Council, focused on building world-class sports infrastructure.

At the core of this development will be a purpose-built football stadium and a home for an elite professional club.

KAM Melbourne, part of KAM Sports, brings specialist knowledge and will work alongside WMG’s partners and stakeholders to bring this vision to life.

The company is headed by Chairman and co-founder Maciek (MG) Kaminski, and CEO and co-founder Mikhail Kaminski.

With a strong background in managing large-scale residential and commercial projects in the US and Europe, the team brings deep expertise in investment, development, and project structuring.

Looking ahead, WUFC will be part of a broader, international multi-club strategy focused on football development. The goal is to create elite-level opportunities and pathways for Australian talent.

With over 40 years’ experience in both public and private real estate sectors, the Kaminski family is well-placed to lead this ambitious project.

For them, combining their global property development experience with football club ownership has been a long-held dream—and WUFC, along with the larger WMG project, offers the perfect way to make that dream a reality in Australia.

Chairman of Western Melbourne Group Jason Sourasis expressed his excitement ahead of the acquisition.

“We are thrilled by the significant investment and commitment from KAM Melbourne," Mr Sourasis said in a press release.

"It was important to partner with a group that aligned with our values and believed in the vision.

“It has been an intensive 12-month due diligence process, in which KAM Melbourne took the time to truly understand our vision and the role it will play in shaping the needs of a fast-growing community."

The deal is still pending and will go ahead once it receives the required approvals from Wyndham City, the Australian Professional Leagues (APL), and Football Australia (FA).

Western United and the Western Melbourne Group will provide further comments once the necessary regulatory approves have been finalised.

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Last week, Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) announced the appointment of Beau Busch as the organisation's new Chief Executive for a four-year period until 2029.

Busch is an experienced presence within the PFA, having joined the players' rights and wellbeing organisation back in 2013. Since then, he has held a number of key roles, including Co-Chief Executive, Head of Player Relations and Development, and Media and Communications Manager, in addition to being appointed FIFPRO Asia/Oceania President in 2024.

Across these positions, Busch has worked to protect players' welfare and rights, as well as push standards across the A-Leagues and National Teams.

PFA Chair Francis Awaritefe explained how Busch would deliver much needed stability in his new role during times of uncertainty for the sport in Australia.

“The professional game has reached an important juncture, with critical industrial and commercial negotiations set to occur. We have no doubt that Beau’s appointment will ensure the players can navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities over the coming years," he said in a press release.

“Beau has built incredible trust with the PFA membership, and this will be invaluable as the players seek to shape the future of the game.”

PFA Co-President Tameka Yallop described why Busch would be a valuable fit for the role.

“Beau’s passion for the game, integrity, and proven leadership make him the ideal leader to guide the PFA into its next chapter," she said via press release.

“The players are committed to ensuring we build an industry that we can all be incredibly proud of and we know that under Beau’s leadership the PFA will continue to a be a values-led organisation.”

In a statement, Busch expressed his joy at being selected for the position by the plays.

“It is an honour to represent our members and to work alongside an outstanding Executive, Delegates and staff team," he said.

“This generation of players have an opportunity to drive the success of the professional game and to leave a lasting legacy for the players that follow them.”

Together, Busch and the PFA will continue to protect players' rights and uphold the standards of the game across Australia.

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New Zealand A-League club Auckland FC has hosted its first Development Centre training camp as the club continues to elevate the standards of New Zealand football and foster young talent.

Through Auckland FC's Youth Development Club Partnership programme, the training camp ran welcomed 26 players aged 14-16 from 12 partner clubs to participate in a three-day programme.

Auckland's Youth Development Club Partnership aims to guide young players and build relationships with communities across New Zealand's Northern and WAIBOP regions. Via this, clubs affiliated with the club's Talent Devlopment Programme (TDP) from Auckland and areas such as Hamilton and Tauranga were represented at the training camp.

During the training camp, players had the opportunity to experience a professional sporting environment as they competed. Additionally, players were involved in educational workshops which relayed key information about fitness, mental resilience and Auckland's Black Night Football philosophy.

Furthermore, players also met and learnt from senior coaches and players.

Head of player recruitment Doug Kors explained how important the training camp was for both the young players and the club.

“It was great for us to get at a look at the young players coming through. We’re a club dominated by local talent, it’s part of who we are and what we set out to do in terms of providing pathways into the game. I don’t see that changing anytime soon,” he said in a press release.

“For players it provides them a chance to understand what it takes to make it professionally.

“Yes, it requires skill and talent, but also eating right, a tactical understanding of the game, as well as level of mental resilience. We try a provide all the players who come through with a basic understanding of that.”

Auckland FC CEO Nick Becker highlighted how valuable the Youth Development Club Partnership was for the club.

"There is a huge amount of untapped talent in New Zealand," he said via press release.

“Thanks to the relationships we have with partner clubs, Auckland FC can become a vehicle that helps talented young boys and girls realise their potential and make it at a professional level, right here in Auckland. That’s huge for the development of the game.

“Beyond that, our ownership structure means the connections exist to for the most talented of professionals to try to make it in Europe.”

The first of Auckland's development camps represents an impressive series of development for the A-League's youngest team.

Last month the club celebrated its first birthday and currently leads the A-League Men's ladder with a solid four-point lead.

Key to the club's success has been its ability to extract the best out of local talents, reinforced by the callup of six players to the All-Whites in the most recent international window, double that of cross-country rivals Wellington Phoenix.

If Auckland is to continue to rely on home stars, then continued investment in local football is necessary.

Auckland FC first launched the Youth Development Club Partnership in October 2024, creating the first step for athletes to become professional footballers via a defined pathway of the Rebel Sport Development Centre, reserves and then the first team.

Now, the programme unites 18 TDP clubs in fostering emerging talents. In creating partnerships with clubs across the country, Auckland FC is building a network of valuable win-win relationships that allow each organisation to develop and play the best talent available.

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Wellington Phoenix has welcomed local family-owned business Holmes Construction as the club's major academy partner.

Through the partnership, Holmes Construction advertising material will feature in a prime location on the front of the Phoenix's men's and women's reserve team's shirt for the 2025 winter season and the National League Championship.

Founded in Wairarapa in 1957, Holmes Construction has been a consistent presence in the Wellington region for almost seven decades.

Currently, the business is run by the third generation of the family and has offices across Greytown, Petone and Christchurch.

Holmes Construction managing director Ben Holmes expressed his family's pride to enter into the partnership with Wellington Phoenix's academy.

“As a family-owned business with a proud history in the region, we value the development of local talent and the strong community spirit these teams embody,” he said in a press release.

“As a team, Holmes values being a part of our local community and supporting local.

“We look forward to cheering the Wellington Phoenix academy on throughout the season and wish them every success.”

Wellington Phoenix general manager David Dome highlighted his excitement to support a local business through the new partnership the Holmes Construction.

“Ben Holmes and his team at Holmes Construction are leaders in their field and are passionately local,” he said via press release.

“We know their work first-hand having been tenants at the world-class New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport since it opened in 2022.

“Together we’re looking forward to taking the academy to a new level and making it a major events hub in the Hutt Valley.”

Wellington Phoenix recently took over the Ricoh Sports Centre, branding it the new Home of the Wellington Phoenix for the club's academy to play at Fraser Park.

Here the club's new partnership with Holmes Construction will shine, showcasing the strength of supporting of local businesses and organisations.

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New Zealand A-League club Wellington Phoenix has announced a partnership with New Zealand media masthead Stuff, and its publication, The Post.

Through the new deal, the organisations' long-standing partnership will now be thoroughly cemented, as Stuff will be elevated to one of Phoenix's club media partners.

Stuff is one of New Zealand's largest media platforms, holding one of the country's largest websites and reaching over 3.4 million New Zealanders each month. Stuff also has an array of widely popular magazines and publications, such as The Post - a Wellington based daily business and politics newspaper.

Wellington Phoenix general manager David Dome expressed his excitement for the partnership by highlighting the history Stuff and The Post have had with Phoenix.

“Stuff has provided unmatched coverage of the Phoenix since we were established in 2007,” he said in a press release.

“In fact Post readers were asked for feedback on six options for the club’s name before then-owner Terry Serepisos settled on Wellington Phoenix.

“Stuff and The Post have followed the Phoenix through all of the ups and downs since and it’s great to have formalised the partnership.

“We look forward to connecting with Aotearoa’s largest digital and print audience.”

The Post Editor Tracy Watkins detailed the Post's eagerness for the deal.

“Our audience might be focused on our politics and business coverage through the
week, but come the weekends they are as sports mad as the rest of the country," she said via a press release.

“This partnership speaks to that enthusiasm, and showcases the Phoenix story far and
wide.”

Stuff’s Director of NZ Direct Markets Lee Piper outlined his organisation's commitment to supporting the club after years of work together.

“We’re excited to continue supporting the club’s growth and success,” he said in a statement.

“It’s been a privilege to witness the Nix’s progress season after season, and we look forward to being closely involved with the club as they continue to evolve.”

Wellington Phoenix, Stuff and The Post will seek to engage with the wider New Zealand community as they kickstart the next chapter of their collaboration.

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The Central Coast Mariners (CCM) have recently announced the continuation of their partnership with Coast Sport Performance Health Services for their CCM program.

Central Coast Physiotherapy, operating as Coast Sport, is a Central Coast-based performance health group dedicated to delivering first-class therapy and performance services.

Their goal is to become leaders in providing world-class Allied Health and Sports Medicine services.

They achieve this through premium healthcare delivery featuring clinical excellence, evidence-based practice, gold standard technologies and integrated multidisciplinary patient management.

This partnership will provide expert medical and physiotherapy care to youth development at CCM, primarily focusing on the academies. Making sure youth players have the best care and are educated on their bodies.

CCM expressed their excitement at this renewal on their social media channels.

"We're thrilled to announce Coast Sport - Performance Health Services as a returning partner in our MCC program! With their exceptional physio services, Coast Sport plays a vital role in supporting the health and performance of our Central Coast Academy athletes," via CCM official media release.

"Their continued commitment to athlete care is integral to our development pathway, ensuring our players receive the best support on and off the field. We look forward to this continued partnership and the success it will bring!"

Physical health is crucial to the development of players and to keep them in good condition to excel in football.

The strains on young players' bodies in academies means that good physiotherapy done by experts in the field is crucial to the longevity of the players.

It is an integral part of building a successful and inviting academy, players and importantly their families need to believe they are receiving support in all forms of development.

It's also key that young players are educated on their own bodies and make sure they understand how to maintain their ability and make sure they suffer no serious injuries.

This collaboration renewal also demonstrates how the A-League club supports local community businesses.

Using local businesses even for such an integral part of development as physical health shows commitment to the region.

Partnerships like this help clubs build strong relationships with the local community and solidify their integral position as a symbol of the local business environment and society.

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Melbourne Victory has celebrated being awarded funding under the Play Our Way program by inviting Federal Minister for Sport, the Hon. Anika Wells to Aami Park.

Play Our Way is a $200 million program from the Federal Government created after the success of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 to increase women and girls' participation in all sport.

The program seeks to achieve its goals by funding initiatives that aim to tackle the barricades that prevent women and girls from engaging with sport and physical in order to create a more equitable environment for everyone.

There were over 660 applications for the participation stream of the program, with only 70 programs across all sports and levels becoming successful recipients: of those, only four were professional clubs.

In a joint visit to Aami Park, Minister Wells and member for Macnamara Josh Burns MP spoke with key club representatives such as Managing Director Caroline Carnegie, former Matilda Lydia Williams and Melbourne Victory community program participant Tesnim Beke about the club's work to support women and girls.

Carnegie highlighted how the visit reinforced Victory's commitment to breaking down the barriers to equality in sport.

“We were honoured to welcome MP Anika Wells to Melbourne Victory to discuss and celebrate the incredibly important work we are undertaking as a Club to provide more opportunities in football for women and girls,” she said in a press release.

“Our projects will provide a program that will have an immensely positive impact on not only participation in sport, but allow individuals to grow their social and leadership skills.

“At Melbourne Victory, we aim to lead, unite, connect and inspire through football, and the Play Our Way program allows for women and girls to connect and reach their potential.

“We look forward to seeing our programs and pathways continue to welcome new participants across Victoria.”

Through funding from the Play Our Way program, Melbourne Victory now has the support it needs to build a comprehensive partnership strengthened program that will support participation in sport across schools, communities and clubs. This program will deliver important and educational physical sessions as well as workshops which encourage leadership.

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Paramount Australia and SportsPick Live have revealed a new multi-year partnership aimed at increasing football viewership across venues in Australia, an action that aims to enhance the sports presence in a local landscape in settings such as pubs, clubs, casinos, and gyms.

The partnership with Paramount Australia, the home of Australian football, grants commercial venues the distribution rights to Paramount’s exclusive and extensive package of domestic and international football matches.

This provides full-season coverage of both the Isuzu UTE A-League Men and the Ninja A-League Women, enhancing entertainment options for venue operators while making the game more accessible to fans nationwide.

This collaboration not only brings Australia’s premier domestic football competitions to screens in venues nationwide but also delivers over 100 international matches featuring the CommBank Matildas and Subway Socceroos, allowing fans to support their national teams in a vibrant, shared atmosphere.

Managing Directer of Entain Venues, Mark Sturdy, expressed his enthusiasm on sharing the sport across the nation.

“We’re excited to be partnering with Paramount Australia, allowing us to bring Australian football into venues nationwide, championing both women’s and men’s leagues with equal passion,” he said via press release.

“By consolidating the branding of Paramount Australia, A-Leagues, CommBank Matildas, and Subway Socceroos under the SportsPick Live initiative, the partnership aims to establish a robust platform for sports entertainment tailored to the commercial market.

“Our partnerships aren’t just about streaming matches; we’re completely invested in growing the sports in our portfolio while elevating the local venue as the place that unites fans."

This landmark agreement highlights both companies' commitment to growing football in Australia and aims to provide an outstanding viewing experience for fans in commercial venues, uniting communities through the power of sport.

Vice president of partner management and business development at Paramount Australia, Lachlan Roach, commented on the vitality of the collaboration.

“The SportsPick Live business is pioneering commercial venue distribution in the territory, and Paramount Australia’s inaugural and multi-year partnership is pivotal in delivering and making available our premium broadcast of all Australian football matches to fans across the country," he said via press release.

With Paramount's ambition to become the go-to destination for venues across Australia, the newly-founded deal between the two companies marks the beginning of something greater.

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Steadfast Group has enhanced its partnership with the Central Coast Mariners (CCM), becoming a Premier partner of the club.

First having collaborated with the club in 2019, Australasian insurance broker network Steadfast joined the Mariners as a supporter.  However, the new renewal will see Steadfast rewarded for its loyalty with key branding locations, most notably featuring on the back of the CCM Women’s kit.

Central Coast Mariners Head of Commercial Operations, Olivia Rebelo lauded Steadfast’s critical dedication to the club.

“Steadfast’s ongoing support shows their strong commitment to football on the Central Coast. Since 2019, they’ve played a key role in our journey, and as we begin this new chapter with the Women’s A-League team, their continued backing reflects the shared vision and ambition of our organisations,” she said via press release.

“We are thrilled to have Steadfast Group as a Premier partner, aligning with our A-League Women’s team. Their support highlights their dedication to empowering women in sport and making a meaningful difference within our community.”

Steadfast Founder, Managing Director and CEO, Robert B. Kelly AM signalled how his organisation wanted to help women’s sport thrive across the country.

“We endeavour to make positive contributions in our communities, and sports are an important facet of community for many Australians. We’ve seen the profile of women’s sports, including football, rise over the past few years and we want to see that continue,” he said in a press release.

“Steadfast is proud to support the Central Coast Mariners, a partnership we have had for the past seven years, and I wish the Women’s A-League team a great season of football.”

The updated partnership between Steadfast Group and the Central Coast Mariners, indicates a positive and bright future for woman’s sport along the Central Coast as both organisations work to increase female participation in sport.

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Melbourne Victory confirmed a partnership with the globally renowned analytics firm Jamestown Analytics.

Jamestown Analytics is a globally recognised leader in football data innovation, providing elite clubs across the UK and Europe with unique insights. Its partners include Brighton & Hove Albion (Premier League), Como 1907 (Serie A), Hearts of Midlothian (Scottish Premiership), and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (Belgian Pro League).

The collaboration designates Melbourne Victory as Jamestown Analytics' sole football partner in Australia and New Zealand.

Jamestown Analytics will collaborate closely with Melbourne Victory to enhance data-driven decision-making across the A-League Men’s and Senior Academy programs.

Melbourne Victory's Director of Football, John Didulica, stated that player recruitment in professional football is undergoing significant changes.

“This partnership will place Victory alongside some of the world’s most progressive clubs,” he said via press release.

“Jamestown Analytics’ world-class innovations in the use of data has served a range of clubs incredibly well and we are excited that it will now play an instrumental role in shaping Melbourne Victory’s decisions across areas such as squad management and opposition analysis, all of which will be deeply integrated into our existing structures.”

Melbourne Victory's Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, expressed excitement about partnering with a global leader in football innovation.

“Jamestown Analytics’ reputation speaks for itself, with a history of helping clubs achieve extraordinary results,” she said via press release.

“Being their exclusive partner in Australia and New Zealand highlights Melbourne Victory’s commitment to fostering a forward-thinking organisation that is laser focussed on delivering consistent sporting success.”

Managing Director of Jamestown Analytics, Justin Said, believes Melbourne Victory is the perfect club for a partnership in the Australia and New Zealand markets.

“We are very selective about who we choose to work with. The Club’s size and structure closely mirror those we work with across the UK and Europe, and we are confident that our insights can assist in delivering significant success, both in the short and long term at Melbourne Victory," he said via press release.

In addition to the advancements in data-driven decision-making, the alliance between Melbourne Victory and Jamestown Analytics opens up exciting opportunities for talent identification and player development. By integrating cutting-edge analytics, the club can refine its scouting processes, uncovering emerging talents from both Australia and New Zealand, and strengthening its pipeline for future stars.

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The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) have announced Stephen Conroy as Executive Chairman of the organisation, effective immediately.

The former Labour politician now has the mandate to complete the transformation of the organisation, which has undergone significant changes in the past couple of years.

The APL board unanimously voted in favour of the decision.

An APL statement on the matter read: "With significant progress made both on and off the field, the Board has unanimously asked Chairman Stephen Conroy to take on an Executive role to lead the final phase of this transformation.

"As Executive Chairman, Conroy will oversee the optimisation of APL’s operations. Once this process is complete, he will return to his Non-Executive role."

The news comes after the shock departure of A-Leagues Commissioner Nick Garcia, earlier this week.

The APL’s financial problems, which were largely inherited by Garcia, have been well-documented, with private equity firm Silver Lake’s $140 million investment in the A-League seemingly all spent.

It led to several APL staff members losing their jobs, and a significant reduction in club distribution fees from $2 million to $530,000 for the 2024/2025 A-League Men season.

Despite this, throughout season 2024/25, the A-League Men has continued to showcase growth in key metrics, with crowds up 14% year on year and free-to-air TV audiences on Network 10 increasing by more than 15%.

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Adelaide United has announced a new partnership with Thirteen Commercial Cleaning, which joins the club as its Official Cleaning Partner.

As part of this collaboration, Thirteen Commercial Cleaning will be responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene of Adelaide United’s Elizabeth Training Facility and Hindmarsh Head Office, ensuring an optimal environment for players, staff, and visitors.

A specialist in commercial and industrial cleaning, Thirteen Commercial Cleaning takes a comprehensive approach to maintaining high-quality environments.

Its services go beyond general cleaning to include pressure cleaning, industrial sweeping and scrubbing, and abseil cleaning, providing a complete solution for businesses and large-scale facilities.

With a directly employed team of over 60 staff, Thirteen Commercial Cleaning prides itself on professionalism, reliability, and industry expertise, never outsourcing to subcontractors.

The company has built a strong reputation through partnerships with major construction firms such as Hansen Yuncken, Built Environs, Sarah Constructions, and Built.

Nathan Kosmina, Adelaide United’s CEO, discussed the benefits of the partnership for the clubs facilities.

“Having Thirteen Commercial Cleaning as our Official Cleaning Partner is a fantastic outcome for the Club. Their experience and high standards align perfectly with what we require to maintain our facilities at an elite level," Kosmina said in a press release.

"The team’s dedication to quality and attention to detail will ensure our players and staff work in the best possible environment. We look forward to working closely with Frank and the entire Thirteen Commercial Cleaning team.”

Frank Tsianos, Thirteen Commercial Cleaning’s Director, also shared his enthusiasm.

“We are proud to partner with Adelaide United and provide our expert cleaning services to their facilities. As a company that values quality, reliability, and professionalism, we see a strong congruence with Adelaide United’s commitment to excellence," Tsianos said in a press release.

"We look forward to playing our part in ensuring the Club’s facilities remain in top condition throughout the season.”

The partnership highlights a shared commitment between Adelaide United and Thirteen Commercial Cleaning to high standards, innovation, and professionalism.

It's a deal that helps the club keep their facilities clean and continue to build their local sponsorship portfolio midway through the season.

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Melbourne Victory has announced Beveridge as the first home of its proposed campuses as part of the club's recently revealed new infrastructure strategy.

An in-principle agreement between the Mitchell Shire Council and Melbourne Victory has set forth plans for an exciting world class facility and open ground reserve that will be known as "Melbourne Victory's Northern Campus".

The facility will aim to support Victory's women's and academy football programs by providing three full sized football pitches, four synthetic small-sided pitches, and elite training amenities as part of a multi-sports hub owned, managed, and operated by Melbourne Victory.

Melbourne Victory Chairman, John Dovaston expressed enthusiasm for the new project.

"The Club was thrilled to join with Mitchell Shire for such an important milestone to kick off the Club’s infrastructure project, and with a strong member base in the North, opening our first site in that growth corridor was an easy decision," he said via press release.

Melbourne Victory Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie explained why the campus was so integral to the club's vision.

"The Northern Campus will be the first campus for the Club and will help elevate our Women’s and Academy programs while also fostering the growth of football for all Victorians and providing connection to a new community, as part of building fandom for the Club," she said in a press release.

In addition to aiding the development of Melbourne Victory players and talents, the Northern Campus will also act as a community hub. Alongside quality pitches, the campus will include a cafe, gymnasium, top end changing rooms, recovery facilities and other leading amenities which cater to both the club and community.

Mitchell Shire Mayor Councillor, John Dougal outlined the shire's excitement for the collaboration with Melbourne Victory.

“This is a fantastic development for an area where Council is working hard to provide the services and infrastructure," he said via press release.

“We’re always advocating to bring assets to the region that will enhance the lives of our communities and help to prepare them for the growth the area is experiencing.

“Sport is incredibly important part of life in Mitchell Shire. Which is why it is fantastic to be involved with Melbourne Victory who will provide a high-performance sport presence that will enhance community engagement and pride, bring economic development to the region and promote healthy lifestyles.”

The $35 million dollar plus project is aiming to commence construction in 2026, with a community consultation and feedback process to be announced shortly.

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A-League giant Melbourne Victory has revealed a brand-new extensive infrastructure strategy to foster and support tomorrow's footballing stars.

The strategic infrastructure plan set out by Victory will aim to develop youth and women's football programs by providing improved access to world class footballing facilities and player pathways across Victoria.

To achieve this, Melbourne Victory has opted for a campus model to enable players access to connected and consistent facilities across the North, East, South and West of Melbourne, all within an hour's journey of Victory's club administrative centre and the A-League Men's training facilities at Gosch's Paddock.

The club also intends to build another campus within the Melbourne city centre, with the first campus location to be announced by the club soon, as it continues to review and assess possible sites across the city.

Melbourne Victory Chairman, John Dovaston, explained why the club had chosen the campus model.

“The announcement of this project, and the direction taken, is aimed at ensuring we are best placed to attract and retain football talent across the State,” he said in a press release.

“Our innovative approach will allow us to have a number of campuses with not only an elite focus, but also, an eye on building our community to ensure that all Victorians have an opportunity to participate and engage in our game."

Melbourne Victory Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, outlined why the new infrastructure strategy was so important to the club.

“It is well understood that sport and football can influence social cohesion, and it’s our responsibility as a Club to establish infrastructure and programs that can positively impact members of the community, regardless of gender, background or location, whether that be through training the next generation of football stars, or using football as a vehicle to lead, unite, connect and inspire the community more broadly,” she said via press release.

“By enabling Victory to connect with communities across the North, South, East, and West of AAMI Park, our spiritual home, we can truly grow the Victory family and set new standards for elite facilities in our Pathway and community programs.”

The infrastructure project is an important move for the club, allowing it to grow, improve and future-proof its current suite of footballing programs. Currently, Victory operates nine elite and 23 pathway programs, providing services to over 16,000 participants across Victoria. Through the campus model, the club hopes it will be able to more efficiently develop the new generation of A-League and national team players.

“The priority is to provide not just an entry point for individuals to engage and participate in football, but to keep them engaged and provide a holistic journey to grow the Victory family across the State,” Carnegie continued.

“We are excited about the opportunities that the project can provide and the potential for growth for our Club and for football in the future.”

Melbourne Victory will continue to issue updates as it sets on the 5-year-plus journey to complete the entire project. For more information on the club's major infrastructure strategy, access the plan HERE.

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Western United has welcomed Rebuild Health and Performance as the club's Official Physiotherapy Partner for the 2025 Junior Boys National Premier League (JBNPL) season.

Through the partnership, Rebuild will form an integral role in Western United Junior Academy's physical health and performance. For three nights a week, junior players will spend time with Rebuild physiotherapists at training, as well as on matchdays.

Additionally, junior players will receive 20% discounts off of physiotherapy services, and strength and conditioning gym memberships.

The Rebuild team will be led by sitting Western United Men's strength coach Louis Mezza, and former Western United Woman's Head of Performance George Mcheileh. Together they will work in tandem with Western United Academy staff and coaches to help care and develop Western United's young talents safely.

Western United Academy Director, Anthony Frost detailed his optimism for partnering with Rebuild.

“We are excited by the prospect of working with the staff at Rebuild to help our players physical development and wellbeing in 2025. The quality of care and experience that Rebuild’s staff can provide ensures we are able to offer the very best to our Western United Academy players.

“What is so reassuring is that there is clear alignment between the club and Rebuild to ensure the we are recognised as one of the most progressive and effective football academies in the country.

“This partnership reinforces our commitment to our vision and will look forward to seeing our athletes flourish with Rebuild’s support.”

Director of Rebuild Health & Performance, George Mcheileh outlined what Rebuild would deliver to Western United as a part of the collaboration.

“A partnership opportunity with Western United Football Club to provide our services presents an exciting chance to enhance athlete wellness and physical development.

“By integrating specialized physiotherapy into the club’s training regimen, we can address injury prevention, rehabilitation, and overall physical conditioning. Our experienced physiotherapists would work closely with coaching staff to create tailored treatment plans, ensuring players receive the best care possible while optimizing their readiness for competition.

“This collaboration aligns with Western United’s vision of athlete development, and we are excited to give the Junior Academy players every opportunity to flourish and be successful.”

Through the partnership, Rebuild will receive prominent advertisement on the lower back of Junior Academy kits, in addition to game day LED signage across A-League Men's and Woman's home matches.

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Melbourne Victory has celebrated a new partnership with Australian wellness brand, Hydrodol. The deal will see both parties collaborate for the rest of the 2024/25 A-Leagues season.

Hydrodol is a significant supplements provider across Australia, New Zealand the Asia Pacific, supplying customers with cutting edge products tailored to assist with hydration and a range of other health concerns.

Together, Melbourne Victory and Hydrodol will join their philosophies of driving health and fitness forward in order to bring attention to healthy living practices among the Australian football community.

Melbourne Victory Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, expressed admiration for the partnership.

“We are delighted to welcome Hydrodol to the Melbourne Victory family," she said in a press release.

"This partnership reflects a shared vision of supporting individuals to perform at their best whether they’re on the pitch, in the stands, or in their daily lives. Together, we aim to provide meaningful benefits to our fans, players, and the broader Victory community.”

Hydrodol Marketing Manager, Jenn Leung, echoed Carnegie's applause.

‘Hydrodol is passionate about empowering people to feel their best, whether they’re elite athletes or everyday Australians," she said via press release.

"Partnering with Melbourne Victory, Australia’s biggest football club allows us to connect with a vibrant community that values health, performance, and well-being.”

Melbourne Victory Director of Football, John Didulica, outlined the significance of the club's collaboration with Hydrodol in a press release.

“To lead successful football programs, it is essential that we look to partner with companies like Hydrodol, who can help maintain and improve our players’ recovery from the demands of professional football and readiness to compete each week," he said via press release.

For the remaining games of the 2024/25 season, fans and spectators will be able to see Hydrodol advertisement material at the Home of the Matilda's and AAMI Park, as both Melbourne Victory and Hydrodol work to bolster the health and wellbeing of the community.

The post Driving Health Forward: Melbourne Victory partners with Hydrodol appeared first on Soccerscene.

In a landmark initiative for women's football, FIFA has unveiled an ambitious strategy aimed at reaching 60 million female players worldwide by 2027.

The comprehensive plan, supported by 13 distinct development programmes, is available to all 211 FIFA Member Associations, marking a significant step forward in the sport's global evolution.

FIFA also took the announcement to highlight the achievements for women’s football in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Oceanic Football Confederation (OFC).

The recently enhanced FIFA Women's Development Programme underscores the organisation's strengthened commitment to expanding the women's game.

The upcoming 2025 calendar promises several groundbreaking developments for women's football.

The Philippines will host the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup, while Morocco makes history as the first African nation to stage the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.

The latter tournament sees significant expansion, growing from 16 to 24 teams and shifting to an annual format.

International competition reaches new heights with continental championships scheduled across multiple confederations.

The pathway to the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027 commences with African qualification matches, while major regional tournaments including the UEFA Women's EURO and OFC Women's Nations Cup will crown new champions.

In a significant advancement for club football, all six confederations will host their respective continental club championships for the first time.

This renewed focus comes amid unprecedented growth in participation rates, particularly evident in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup co-host nations.

New Zealand has reported a remarkable 27 per cent surge in female participation since 2022, with particularly strong growth among Māori and Pasifika communities, showing a 14 per cent increase.

A strategic partnership between New Zealand Football and Māori Football Aotearoa further strengthens grassroots development.

New Zealand Football CEO Andrew Pragnell voiced the federations successful results.

"The expansion of football and futsal in Aotearoa New Zealand has been extraordinary, with the Women's World Cup serving as a genuine catalyst for growth," he explained via official FIFA press release.

Across the Tasman, Football Australia's Growing Football Fund Community Grants programme continues to foster development at the grassroots level.

The latest round of funding benefits 118 recipients, complementing the 121 projects supported in March 2024.

This initiative particularly emphasises regional development, with nearly half the grants allocated to areas outside major metropolitan centres.

The grants provide essential support for women's football development, encompassing coach education, introductory programmes, and vital equipment procurement, further cementing the sport's foundation at the community level.

Also within the AFC, footballing powerhouse Japan has successfully hosted the continent's first female-exclusive Pro Licence coaching course.

A collaborative effort between FIFA, AFC, and the Japan Football Association (JFA), represents a significant milestone in professional football development.

The intensive seven-day course attracted participants from fourteen nations, featuring presents such as AFC Technical Director Andy Roxburgh and Japan men's national team coach Hajime Moriyasu.

Participants gained valuable practical experience through observations of pre-season training sessions at both J.League and Nadeshiko League clubs.

JFA Technical Director Masanaga Kageyama emphasised the programme's strategic importance and inclusivity.

"This course is a joint AFC/JFA initiative to increase the number of top-level, professionally licensed female coaches in Asia. It aims to provide existing talents with additional advice to help them achieve greater success in their current coaching positions and secure future success," Kageyama explained via official FIFA press release.

This initiative aligns with JFA's renowned long-term development philosophy and a significant advancement in creating pathways for women in professional football coaching.

This newly improved strategy at the global scale will hopefully allow for more women in both professional and amateur spaces to get the opportunities they deserve in football.

It also highlight’s that AFC & OFC nations, including Australia, will have a strong place within the growth of women’s football.

Read more on the FIFA Women's Development Program here.

The post FIFA set new global benchmark for Women’s Football Development appeared first on Soccerscene.

In September 2024, former Matilda’s and journeyman coach, Tom Sermanni, was quietly going about his business coaching in the women’s program at Western Sydney Wanderers.

The last thing he expected was to receive an offer from the F.A. to become the interim manager for the Matildas.

However, Sermanni reflected on his previous stints with the Matildas from 1994-97 and 2005-12 with a great sense of pride and didn’t hesitate to accept the offer.

After five months in the job, Sermanni and assistant coach Jean-Paul de Marigny have methodically restored confidence in the squad after the disappointment of not qualifying for the quarter finals at the Paris Olympics.

It was certainly a far cry from Sermanni’s previous stints in 1994-97 when players weren’t paid and had to cover their own expenses and 2005-12 when contracts were introduced for the players.

Notably, Sermanni is aware of the strong brand the Matildas carry in Australian sport and every time they venture onto the pitch, there is a weight of expectation for them to perform.

In this interview with Roger Sleeman, Tom Sermanni discusses his progress with the Matildas since September 2024 and the general state of the women’s game in Australia.

ROGER SLEEMAN

What was your mindset when you were offered the job after your last stint with the Matildas in 2005-12?

TOM SERMANNI

Surprise was my first reaction as it came completely out of the blue

I’d actually reached the stage where I wasn’t searching for a career but winding down.

However, it was a compliment to be still considered for coaching at this level.

R.S.

How long did it take you to accept the offer?

T.S.

Only a few minutes because it was a no brainer after I contemplated what was involved.

[caption id="attachment_28219" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Photo: Kyoko Kurihara - Football Australia[/caption]

R.S.

Based on the Matilda’s performance at the Paris Olympics, what areas were you going to concentrate on?

T.S.

I was actually at the U.S.A. and Zambia games which was useful and I also knew a number of players in the squad.

Initially, I wanted to maintain stability because when a tournament doesn’t yield results, there are inquisitions and uncertainty.

Therefore, the lack of confidence had to be restored.

R.S.

What has been your main focus since you commenced the position?

T.S.

When we first assembled for the first match in Switzerland, I outlined the expectations for the team and myself.

I wanted to get back to the way Australian teams play on the front foot and to reassure the players there was a lot of ability in the squad , despite the disappointment of the Olympic’s result.

We needed to establish goals for the players to achieve and winning was critical.

Rebuilding belief, confidence and spirit was essential to achieving this outcome.

R.S.

What were your conclusions after the Switzerland and German clashes in October?

T.S.

There were signs of missing confidence and cohesion in the Swiss clash but against Germany it was a great 2-1 victory and defied our 15th ranking in the world standings.

R.S.

Against Brazil, how did you rate the team’s performance?

T.S.

Both games were probably the most brutally physical I’d ever witnessed in the women’s game.

Also ,the Brazilians were very direct and unfortunately in the first game in Brisbane, the referee didn’t control the game well enough.

In the second game on the Gold Coast this was rectified somewhat .

Critically, the games were a great benchmark to assess our status with the top five teams in the world.

R.S.

Are we technically adept to match the top teams?

T.S.

If you look at Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley, Mary Fowler and Kyra- Cooney Cross, we have players who rate technically with the best.

Also, we have players spread across the best Leagues in the world.

Nevertheless, at the development level we need to advance players at a technical level, rather than implementing systems which restrict individual development.

[caption id="attachment_28220" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Photo: Kyoko Kurihara - Football Australia[/caption]

R.S.

Are the senior players performing to their best?

T.S.

I believe in the matches so far they have and are still our most consistent performers.

Don’t forget, despite the Paris Olympics failure, we did qualify for the semi finals of the previous Olympics and the 2023 World Cup.

R.S.

Is it time to blood young players in the squad, and what is your general opinion of the talent scouting process employed to unearth new players?

T.S.

If I’d come in as a new coach for the next campaign, rather than an interim coach, things may have been different.

I emphasise again my role is to instigate stability in an effective way and my successor in a permanent role will decide where the squad will go forward from there.

For me , the role is to plan for the present and the future so it’s a balancing act.

In the modern game it’s difficult because you don’t get enough time with the players who are mainly based overseas.

This is in contrast with my last stint with the Matildas when most of the players were home based so we had complete access to them for local camps .

Importantly, this allowed us to develop players within the team structure.

It’s getting harder to bring in new players because of the time limits you have to work with them.

Obviously, you’re continuing to strengthen your squad by bringing new players in but moving forward the new coach has to reassess the current squad and also be mindful of other players to be given an opportunity to see if they are better than the current players.

Naturally, there will be a turnover of the squad due to ageing of senior players so we have to provide a better way of bringing younger players through.

With the huge increase in playing numbers in women’s football , there should be a lot of new talent coming through the system to be considered for Matilda selection.

Unfortunately ,there hasn’t been an organised plan since the Institutes fell by the wayside and resources aren’t being committed to a cohesive system.

R.S.

How important is Mary Fowler to the squad?

T.S

She is critical because she has that X-factor and those qualities to become a superstar.

Some of the senior players are now at their peak in their late twenties and Mary in her early twenties has the world at her feet to become a world class player.

Along with Ellie Carpenter whose workrate and football awareness are phenomenal, it should be our aim to continue unearthing such talent in the W- League.

R.S.

What is your opinion of the A-League Women?

T.S.

Unfortunately, it’s not fully professional and it needs more resources to make it the best league it can be because at the moment it’s a development league for domestic players.

However, we need as many young players to be competing in the League and over time it would be ideal for overseas players to come back to the League to contribute to its progress.

However, the League is certainly a great place for supplying national youth team players.

[caption id="attachment_28221" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Photo: Kyoko Kurihara - Football Australia[/caption]

R.S.

Can you tell us more about the She Believes Cup, the Matildas are competing in the U.S. from February 19-27 against U.S.A., Japan and Colombia?

T.S.

It's a proper, competitive tournament, not a series of friendlies so there is a great incentive to win.

We play the first game and then travel to two other cities to play so there’s limited time for preparation.

Clearly, it’s an important tournament to play serious opposition with different styles on show and for players to maintain their place or for new players to emerge.

R.S.

After your interim role ends, would you like to be still involved with the Matildas in some way?

T.S.

If there was a role for me which was suitable I certainly would take it because I’m really enjoying the current position.

The post Tom Sermanni- Leading the Matildas in the Right Direction appeared first on Soccerscene.

Football Queensland has unveiled an innovative development program aimed at nurturing the next generation of female football talent across the Sunshine State.

The FQ Academy Emerging Female Program, launching this February, will provide specialised coaching for girls aged 9-13 under the expert guidance of Football Queensland Academy and Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) technical staff.

The eight-week initiative, operating alongside existing club programs, represents a significant boost to Queensland's female football pathway.

Players will receive professional coaching focused on fundamental skills development, with sessions designed to complement their regular club training.

FQ Academy QAS Isaka Cernak expressed their support of the new program.

"The launch of this program is an important step in our commitment to developing the women's game in Queensland, as we aim to support our clubs, coaches, and players who are looking for, or would benefit from additional technical skill development," Isaka Cernak said via press release.

"The program is designed to complement existing club training, helping players enhance their technical skills and football knowledge during the critical skill acquisition phase of their development, benefiting both the individual player and their club environment."

The program is also creating opportunities for aspiring female coaches.

FQ General Manager – Football & State Technical Director Gabor Ganczer highlighted this crucial aspect.

"Supporting the growing number of female coaches is critical to the long-term success of the women's game, and through this program, we are creating more opportunities for current and aspiring female coaches to develop their skills and advance their technical knowledge," Ganczer commented via FQ official press release.

The initiative aligns with FQ's ambitious 2024-2026 Women and Girls Strategy, which targets 50/50 gender parity by 2027.

It's particularly timely as Queensland looks towards the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with organisers hoping to unearth and develop future CommBank Matildas talent.

Term 1 Key Information:

• Tuesday, 11 February – Tuesday, 1 April 2025

• Time: 4:00pm – 5:00pm

• 8 sessions per term (1 per week for 8 weeks)

• Nudgee Recreation Reserve, 290 Elliott Rd, Nudgee

• Cost: $100

• Age groups: U9-U13 girls

Football Queensland has indicated plans to expand the program, with further announcements expected in the coming months.

The impressive growth of women’s football in Queensland has been consistently supported through the state's footballing federation. It is hopeful this program can deliver more opportunities for young girls to advance their development and football ambitions.

Interested participants must register by Friday, 7 February 2025, register for term 1 through the link here.

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New Zealand A-League club, Auckland FC, have announced a partnership with premier New Zealand institution, the Auckland University of Technology (AUT).

The collaboration will be a non-commercial partnership and instead provide several mutually advantageous bonuses to both organisations, benefitting AUT staff and students, as well as Auckland FC players.

Auckland FC CEO, Nick Becker, expressed the club's pride for the deal with AUT.

"We’re delighted to be collaborating with New Zealand’s top sports university and further cement our place as part of the Auckland community," he said in a press release.

“To have the support of, and access to, AUT’s people, resources and research is extremely valuable to the club and our aim of developing clear professional pathways for New Zealand’s top talent.”

As New Zealand's third largest university by number of enrolled students, AUT's partnership with Auckland FC is a significant signing for the young club.

AUT’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Damon Salesa, explained why the upcoming collaboration was so important for the university.

"With AUT’s strong position in New Zealand’s sporting ecosystem – including its world-class sports research and our School of Sport and Recreation being ranked in the top 30 in the world – there is a natural synergy between the two organisations," he said via press release.

"The partnership is an ideal alignment from an educational, sporting and community perspective and will provide valuable opportunities for our students, staff and Auckland FC.

“This is also a significant moment for the development of football in Tāmaki Makaurau and we’re very proud to be standing alongside Auckland FC at the beginning of a new chapter of football in our city."

Consistently placing in the top 1% of universities across the world, AUT presents as a high-achieving and experienced partner for Auckland FC to continue to grow their brand with.

Auckland FC will continue to represent the Auckland community as it cements itself in the A-League as an ambassador of the city and New Zealand.

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John Paraskevas is the founder of Faraday West – a leading specialised lender for the self-employed.

As Australia faces uncertainly around interest rates, coupled with the cost-of-living crisis presenting its own challenges, approaching a bank for financial help can be a daunting experience.

Those with irregular income have often found themselves knocked back by a bank in times of need, where it appears the self-employed cannot be trusted.

However, Paraskevas’ business Faraday West has changed the game - supporting the self-employed and backing them in for 25 years.

Speaking with Soccerscene in a wide-ranging chat, Paraskevas discusses how his business began, why it’s a success, his approach to changing the lives of people on a daily basis and his affinity with the round ball game.

First of all, John, could you tell us a little bit more about the origins of Faraday West?

John Paraskevas: I finished up with university in the late 80’s, I did a business course in accountancy, so I was always going to be business focused.

I chose lending, it just resonated well with me. Meeting people, solving their problems and then watching their reactions as they start off nervous trying to borrow money, but once you approve the loan, the elation on their faces, knowing now they can focus on achieving their goals; it’s fantastic.

Lending was always a big part of me and I just found it really natural - with this business it is always about relationships.

That's what I found over the last 25 years since starting Faraday West in 1999, it's about relationships and listening to people. A lot of people try and sell something, but for me it was always about the relationship and building rapport with a person.

I've got clients that I dealt with 25 years ago that I'm still dealing with now, it's extraordinary.

As an organisation we address the question of who looks after the self-employed people. They’ve struggled when they went to the bank and I remember personally my father facing these challenges.

He is still self-employed and it was always hard borrowing money from the bank.

For me, that was where my passion kicked in. My thinking was it'd be great to create lending products to support those who are self-employed, who the bank doesn't really care about or they're just too hard, whatever the case is.

That was the emergence of the self-employed space and from there came what we call low-doc programs and loans for the self-employed. 25 years later, these low-doc programs now are stronger than ever.

I realised very early that a lot of friends who were self-employed all struggled when it came to borrowing as well. With my dad being a builder, buying a block of land and building a couple of units should be simple, but unfortunately it was always more complicated with the bank.

[caption id="attachment_28119" align="alignnone" width="713"] Faraday West Founder John Paraskevas – Image Credit: One Nil Media[/caption]

What is it like working alongside clients day-to-day?

John Paraskevas: We still have clients from decades ago, their kids now call us who are self-employed - so it's incredible again to see the longevity.

It’s been a fantastic journey with a diverse range of clients.

From lawyers, to tradies, to engineers, to anyone in that self-employed space, we can support any industry. When people hear the term self-employed, they automatically assume one person; but self-employed could be the individual, a small team of 1-3 people or even 10-30 people. They're all still self-employed, so it’s very much a medium enterprise.

There’s just been so many memorable moments, everyone’s story is a success.

It's not about the size of the loan, it's about the journey and helping that individual or group of people. There's been many situations where you've got someone starting out in business, they've been working for a year, wanting to buy their first home and multiple banks have been saying no to them for a year.

Eventually, they come see us, you meet them and then if we tell them within an hour that it's a done deal, they just can't believe it. I love seeing that smile on their face, being surprised by the outcome.

That is the buzz for me where we approve loans, assist people and work through their financial duties.

Talk to me a little bit about your other love John, Soccer, what’s your background in the game?

John Paraskevas: I played soccer in my younger years for Thornbury United and then moved to Northcote City at a reserve state league level. We're talking in the mid-1980’s, I loved playing soccer. I had a break for a few years and then in my late 30’s started playing again till about 50, so the sport has always been in the family’s blood and we've loved it.

I’ve got two daughters at NPL level, one is playing seniors at Boroondara Eagles and doing quite well with her development, while the other one is 17 playing at Bulleen and absolutely loves it - been at that club for two years now.

What is your view on the local game’s main strength?

John Paraskevas: The participation levels at a junior level are fantastic.

If you look at the women’s side of the game, I love to see the growth in that area and how it’s taken off over time.

For the girls and also the boys, participation in the game promotes a healthy lifestyle and these individuals can also make changes in the way they eat, train, socialise, it improves their mental wellbeing – there are so many benefits that are a result of engaging in the game of soccer.

What are the main reasons you’ve decided to partner with Soccerscene? What are the similarities you see across both businesses?

John Paraskevas: We are in very similar paths. Firstly, there’s a lot of risk in trying to start up a business. People always see the end product, but they don’t see the sleepless nights, the money you pour into something, the time and effort – a lot of the rewards, if they do come at all, they come later (sometimes 5-10 years down the track).

Looking at Soccerscene, it reminds me of the early days of Faraday West – you were told by others you couldn’t do something, this is not going to work, but ultimately it comes down to the passion you have in what you do.

With that passion, the product or business continues to develop and get bigger and bigger every year. You’re out there every day speaking with people and getting the message out there, but the most important thing is you have to love what you do and across both businesses you can see we share common values.

[caption id="attachment_28124" align="alignnone" width="713"] Faraday West Founder John Paraskevas - Image Credit: One Nil Media[/caption]

On those values John, why should someone use Faraday West?

John Paraskevas: What generally happens is most borrowers or someone seeking a loan would simply go to the bank, generally the bank where you've got your savings account and ask for a loan - that's the normal natural process.

You see these banks advertising here and there so instinctively you're going to go there, which is 80% of people because of PAYG (they work for someone). However, the self-employed unfortunately don't get that fair go because their situation is a bit more complex - their income could vary from week, to month, to year.

All those variables make it very difficult for the bank to be able to come back and say we can help you. They’ll say you're great, but come back in three months.

From one bank to another, it becomes the same story; ‘I'm going to struggle to borrow money from the bank to buy my dream home’. Suddenly, they hear about Faraday West, loans for the self-employed and it’s almost too good to be true.

The fact that we can assess the position purely just by talking within an hour or two and give them that positive news that we can help, is just gold.

A lot of people just don't believe it, because they've never experienced it before. Their experience has always been this long journey through the bank.

The fact that we can give them an answer straight away is what's important. Not only that, people have this perception that low-doc loans or loans for the self-employed are expensive, but they're not. They're very similar to home loan bank rates.

Once people understand that it's not too difficult to qualify for a loan, they warm up to it.  Once they do the transaction and it settles, you've got them as clients for life - because they believe you've delivered something for them, that they've been trying to do for years.

What could a self-employed person expect in a consultation with Faraday West?

John Paraskevas: I always say to people tell me your story and we will listen.

Every self-employed person can be supported. It could be that person isn't quite ready yet to save for a deposit. Generally, as long as you're self-employed, you've got an ABN number and you've been operating for more than 12 months, there are solutions to help you in that journey.

It’s also an education process, learning throughout the journey.

We have a motto here: keep it simple. How do you do things in the easiest, quickest way? That's what people want.

Once they discover it, it's like it's a pandora's box. It really opens up a lot of opportunities to them, such as buying another property for example - because at the end of the day they should be focusing on their business and their future.

Contact Faraday West today for a free consultation

The post Business Insight: Founder of Faraday West John Paraskevas on his passion for supporting the self-employed and his love of soccer appeared first on Soccerscene.

The Newcastle Jets have announced a multi-year partnership with Eggy, an innovative employee experience app designed to streamline workplace efficiencies.

As part of the partnership, Eggy’s branding will feature on the shorts of the Jets’ A-League Men’s team for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons.

Eggy was co-founded by Novocastrians Dr Kate Morgan and former NRL fan favourite Kirk Reynoldson.

Originally developed as a family organisation app, Eggy has evolved into a mobile-first platform that simplifies access to essential work information for deskless employees, reflecting the company’s forward-thinking approach.

It has many important features like Simplified centralisation, Segmented comms and Streamlined compliance that help employers manage employee's tasks a lot easier.

The app has amassed over 40,000 users with an app store rating of 4.5 stars and used across three different countries, highlighting its quick growth in the market.

This would become Eggy's first venture into the football market for a partnership and no better start than with local club Newcastle Jets who have built a very loyal fan base in Northern NSW.

Dr Kate Morgan explained the importance of the local connection to Newcastle and the Jets with this new partnership.

“While living in Newcastle, we made lifelong friends, soaked up the beaches, and fell for Newcastle’s vibrant charm,” said Dr Morgan in a statement release.

“So, when the Newcastle Jets started their grassroots reboot, the partnership was a natural fit.”

Kirk Reynoldson shared the same sentiment about this exciting new partnership.

“Sport builds strong communities,” Reynoldson explain in a statement. “And as a parent watching my kids play football, I see the same magic that Eggy aims to bring to everyday life: simplicity and connection.”

Partnering with Eggy strengthens the Newcastle Jets' ties to the local community while enhancing financial stability and brand synergy.

This collaboration reinforces the club’s commitment to supporting Newcastle businesses, driving economic growth, and fostering long-term success both on and off the pitch.

The post Newcastle Jets partner with Eggy to boost local ties appeared first on Soccerscene.

Adelaide United has announced a new partnership with Australian vitamins and supplements supplier Orthoplex.

Through the deal, Orthoplex will become United's "Official Nutritional Supplement Supplier", and players will receive the advantages of Orthoplex's HASTA Certified range of nutritional products.

As extremely high-quality supplements, developed under a mantra of "Only the Best", Orthoplex's products are practitioner only supplements, requiring consultation to understand how the supplements can be best utilised for an individual.

With ingredients sourced from the around the world to uphold their defining ethos, Orthoplex is committed to driving the cutting edge of nutrition. By partnering with Adelaide United, the organisation has the oppurtunity to support a professional sports team in a fully active, high-pressure environment, allowing Orthoplex products to shine.

Adelaide United’s Commercial Manager, Gianluca Girolamo, expressed his admiration for the upcoming collaboration.

“Having Orthoplex as part of the Adelaide United family is a tremendous asset," he said via press release.

"The health and performance of our players are of utmost importance, and knowing they have access to the best nutritional supplements gives us confidence that they are receiving world-class support.

"We look forward to working closely with Orthoplex and seeing the positive impact their products have on our squad."

Orthoplex’s General Manager, Jane Hermann echoed Girolamo's pride for the partnership.

“We are incredibly honoured to partner with Adelaide United and to have the playing group using and supporting our products," she said in a press release.

"Our commitment to innovation and delivering the highest quality supplements aligns perfectly with Adelaide United’s dedication to high performance, and we are excited to contribute to the players’ success."

The partnership highlights both organisations' dedication to growth, innovation and development by providing players with the latest nutritional technology available, aiding them to push harder and further than ever before.

For more information on Orthoplex and their HASTA Certified range of supplements, click HERE.

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Brisbane Roar has announced a significant partnership with Hellyer Metals, a prominent mining company, as the club’s new Major Sponsor. The two-year agreement commences in the 2024/25 season.

As part of the sponsorship, the company has secured naming rights to the game day technical area signage for both the Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s and Ninja A-League Women’s matches.

Hellyer Metals, recognised for its commitment to responsible growth and operational excellence in the global mining industry, is also dedicated to fostering the development of women’s football.

Hellyer Metals is a base metals mining operation based on the west coast of Tasmania, Australia who are committed to playing a leading role in the global mining industry.

Their tailings reprocessing process produces high-quality lead and zinc concentrates, along with valuable gold and silver credits, powered by renewable hydro power.

Both parties are dedicated to success through innovative practices and responsible business strategies with the goal to become and remain industry leaders for years to come.

Hellyer Metals are entering the football market a year after first entering the Australian sports market with their Hawthorn Hawks partnership in 2023.

Brisbane Roar CEO & Chairman, Kaz Patafta spoke about his excitement for the future of this partnership.

“We’re pleased to have Hellyer Metals on board for this 2024/25 season, supporting our club as a Major Sponsor and getting behind the growth of women’s football. We’re looking forward to seeing this partnership grow over the coming seasons,” Patafta said in a press release.

Hellyer Metals CEO, Graham Cox echoed the same sentiment.

“The Hellyer Metals team are delighted to have partnered with Brisbane Roar for two seasons. We are passionate about seeing women’s football continue to develop and look forward to being a long-running partner of the club,” Cox said in a press release.

This partnership marks a strong collaboration between Hellyer Metals and Brisbane Roar, aligning the company’s commitment to excellence and community support with the club’s passion for football development.

The sponsorship not only enhances the club’s resources but also provides Hellyer Metals with a platform to amplify their brand while supporting the growth of women’s football—a win-win for both parties.

Brisbane Roar under CEO & Chairman Kaz Patafta continue to be one of the busiest A-League's clubs in the business side of operations, growing their already large corporate portfolio to ensure a sustainable financial future for Queensland's only professional football club.

The post Brisbane Roar secures major sponsorship with Hellyer Metals appeared first on Soccerscene.

Auckland FC has embraced New Zealand based wealth management firm Alvarium as a premium partner to the club.

As a part of the collaboration, Alvarium logos and advertisement material will be featured on Auckland FC's game day shirt sleeve.

This provides Alvarium with exclusive and highly prized visible branding, enabling the club to be seen more easily by a wealth of A-League fans.

Chief Executive Officer of Alvarium, Malcolm McKinnon, outlined his organisation's enthusiasm for the partnership.

“Our team is always looking for opportunities to support commendable partners who combine high performance with great community engagement. We believe we have found that in abundance with Auckland FC,” McKinnon said in a press release.

Chief Executive Officer of Auckland FC, Nick Becker highlighted the shared aims of both organisations.

“Like Alvarium, we at Auckland FC are focused on bringing together the right mix of ideas and opportunities to achieve the best possible outcomes,” he said via press release.

Auckland FC expresses the deal with Alvarium is reflective of the club's commitment to "With Everyone, For Everyone", as the firm has a history of supporting the community. The organisation was a founding advocate of The King's Trust, which helps enable young people for the future ahead of them.

Additionally, the firm is a key partner of SailGP, a team that seeks to protect ocean welfare and advance environmental concerns across New Zealand and on the global stage.

Furthermore, Alvarium is also a team supporter of the New Zealand Paralympics team, demonstrating the company's commitment to social change in sport to help positively boost community awareness of diversity and disability.

As a company, Alvarium is excited to join forces with Auckland FC to bolster the firm's brand to a local audience across New Zealand through a new and lively club with a passionate fanbase, whilst expanding the company's advertising to an Australian market.

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The Central Coast Mariners have announced a new partnership with ASICS, naming the renowned sports performance brand as the club’s Official Footwear Partner and Corporate Supporter.

Under this agreement, ASICS will supply high-performance footwear designed to help Mariners players maximize their performance both on and off the pitch.

Known globally for its advanced sports footwear and apparel, ASICS will offer the team cutting-edge technology aimed at improving agility, comfort, and overall athletic performance.

For the Mariners, this partnership marks another step toward elevating their competitive edge and expanding their corporate portfolio with a big named sportswear brand.

Alyssar Narey, CEO of Central Coast Mariners FC spoke on the shared values between the two parties.

“ASICS is a global leader in sports technology and having them as our Official Footwear Partner is an exciting development for the club,” Narey said in a press release.

“Their commitment to innovation and performance will empower our players to perform at their best and we’re proud to have them as a supporter of our journey moving forward.”

Mark Brunton, Managing Director of ASICS Oceania spoke with excitement about the potential opportunity through this partnership.

“Our new partnership with the Central Coast Mariners is an exciting one for the ASICS brand. With our unique heel gradient technology, a key feature of our football boots providing extra player support, we’re excited to help some of the league’s top players perform at their best whether at training or on game day," Brunton said in a press release.

“ASICS, derived from the Latin phrase anima sana in corpore sano meaning ‘a sound mind in a sound body,’ is committed to promoting active, healthy lifestyles.

"We are therefore proud to support the Mariners in inspiring the benefits of sport and movement and supporting the Central Coast community.”

This partnership highlights the Mariners’ continued focus on excellence in the A-League and underscores their dedication to strengthening ties within the Central Coast community.

By joining forces, ASICS and the Mariners are committed to inspiring the local community through active living, promoting health, and supporting wellness initiatives across the region. It’s a great initiative from the club to benefit their fans.

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The Newcastle Jets have announced a multi-year partnership with power tool and equipment company Senix.

Through the deal, Senix branding will feature on Newcastle Jets Women's and Men's teams' shorts across the 24/25 and 25/26 seasons.

This grants Senix with extremely visible advertising, highlighting the Jet's dedication to the collaboration and providing a significant marketing opportunity for Senix as the company seeks to grow its new portfolio in Australia.

As a rapid developer within its industry, Senix has grown to operate in American, Southeast Asian, and recent Australian markets, with plans to move into New Zealand, Japan, Korea, India and the Middle East.

Vice President of Senix Australia & New Zealand, Tim Paton, described his pride and excitement for the partnership between Senix and the Jets.

“We are excited to partner with the Newcastle Jets as they embark on their new journey,” he said via press release.

“Senix is the fastest growing power tool company in the world and the Australian market is a key focus area, so it was a natural fit to partner with the Jets given their footprint in New South Wales.

“Jets fans and people of the broader Newcastle region will love our products. We create powerful but affordable products that remain eco-minded with low-to-no-emissions. Bottom line, we deliver premium performance at an exceptional value.”

Newcastle Jets CEO, Maurice Bisetto, outlined the benefits of the deal.

“Senix are a global powerhouse in the power tool and equipment category so for the Jets to be able to partner with them is a real coup for us,” he said in a press release.

“Senix are supporting the club as a whole with branding on our A-League and W-League teams and we are excited to work with them to grow their footprint in the Australian market and give Jets fans the opportunity to win some of their tools.”

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Melbourne City FC has confirmed the renewal of its partnership with Workplace Law, a leading provider of employment and workplace relations expertise, for another two years.

Following a successful inaugural season together, this renewal signifies an ongoing collaboration that highlights shared commitments to excellence, equality, and innovation.

Workplace Law continues to support City's Women's program, with their logo proudly displayed on the back of the A-League Women’s training kit.

Furthermore, the logo will feature on the matchday attire of City Women’s Head Coach, Michael Matricciani, reflecting Workplace Law’s unwavering dedication to advancing women in sport.

Melbourne City FC’s partnership with Workplace Law, backed by a history of driving success on and off the field, aligns with the Club’s goal of fostering a high-performance culture for its players and staff.

Melbourne City FC CEO, Brad Rowse, shared his enthusiasm for the renewed partnership.

"We’re delighted to continue our partnership with Workplace Law, a company that shares our passion for driving excellence and creating opportunities for women in sport," he said via press release.

“Their support plays a vital role in ensuring our Women’s program can continue to thrive, both on and off the pitch. We look forward to achieving even greater success together over the next two years.”

Workplace Law Director and CEO, Shane Koelmeyer, shared this excitement.

“We absolutely love being part of the Melbourne City family and are delighted to extend our partnership for another two seasons. They are the ‘gold standard’ when it comes to creating the ideal high-performance environment for their coaches and players to thrive on and off the pitch," he said via press release.

“The Club has a wonderful history of sustained success in both the women’s and men’s programs, and we look forward to sharing in, along with their other amazing partners, further success in the future.”

This partnership not only bolsters Melbourne City’s ALW program but also showcases Workplace Law’s commitment to empowering teams and individuals to excel.

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Japanese sportswear company ASICS has been confirmed as the Macarthur Bulls' official footwear partner for the 2024/25 season.

Through the collaboration, ASICS will provide shoes to club members, supporting the Bulls as they battle to make finals.

ASICS is celebrated for its incorporation of technology to drive forward what is possible in sport, the company's football boots support a variety of different athletes via ASICS' flagship Heel Grade Technology. This revelation means athletes can push themselves harder than ever without compromising comfort.

Managing director of ASICS Oceania, Mark Brunton, expressed his excitement for the partnership.

“We are thrilled to partner with Macarthur Bulls FC. This collaboration allows us to support some of the sport’s top athletes with our unique Heel Grade technology, helping them perform at their best, both in training and on game day," he said via press release.

“At ASICS, we believe in the transformative power of movement. We hope our partnership with Macarthur Bulls will inspire future football stars to get moving and experience the positive impact of the sport.”

Macarthur Bulls Chief Commercial Officer, Mark Jensen, applauded ASICS.

“ASICS is a globally respected leader in athletic performance gear and this is an exciting step for Macarthur Bulls FC as we warmly welcome ASICS as the Bulls Official Footwear Partner for the 2024/25 season,” he said in a press release.

“ASICS’s commitment to innovation and quality perfectly aligns with our club’s goals, supporting our players and staff at every level, from training to match day. This partnership reflects our mutual dedication to excellence and sets the foundation for a successful season, both on and off the field.

“It is a busy 12 months ahead as we gear up for another shot at the Asian Champions League (ACL2) in 2025 and compete in the current A-League season.”

The collaboration between ASICS and Macarthur highlights both organisations dedication to delivering quality and driving progress.

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Football NSW has revealed the 13 referees selected for the 2025 Referee Academy after a comprehensive eight-week trial process.

Over 100 referees from across New South Wales competed for these coveted spots, undergoing a series of evaluations to demonstrate their skills and potential.

The selection process included Laws of the Game quizzes, fitness and agility tests, and live match assessments. This rigorous process ensures that only the most promising candidates are chosen to join the academy, which focuses on preparing referees for high-level officiating roles.

The Football NSW Referee Academy aims to develop referees for state and national competitions, with the ultimate goal of having its members recognised by Football Australia as candidates for roles in the A-League Women’s and Men’s competitions.

Referees in the academy will benefit from:

• Specialised speed and agility training
• Tailored physical programs
• Opportunities to officiate at tournaments
• Match day coaching and targeted development
• Mentorship from experienced NPL and A-Leagues referees
• Access to national and international referee coaches

The academy boasts a history of producing referees who go on to officiate in prestigious competitions such as the Australia Cup, the A-Leagues, AFC tournaments, and even FIFA events.

2025 Referee Academy Members

1. Alec Baele – Northern Suburbs Football Referees Association
2. Chelsea Leung – Football South Coast Referees
3. Grace Williams – Nepean Referees Group
4. Hannah Stone – Nepean Referees Group
5. Imran Kilani – Canterbury Referees Association
6. Jayden Khong – Granville District Football Referees Association
7. Josh Watkins – Blacktown City Soccer Referees Branch
8. Lilian Hayes – Central Coast Football Referees
9. Oliver Leanfore – Canterbury Referees Association
10. Oliver Udovicic – Canterbury Referees Association
11. Ruby Egan Brown – Football South Coast Referees
12. Valentina Malagon Avila – Hills Football Referees
13. Wael Arabi – Nepean Referees Group

A Stepping Stone for NSW and Australian Football

The Football NSW Referee Academy plays a pivotal role in developing skilled officials who are crucial to the game’s success at all levels.

By providing intensive training and mentorship, the academy not only ensures the quality of officiating within New South Wales but also contributes to the broader growth of football in Australia.

With its proven track record of producing referees who excel nationally and internationally, the academy underscores the importance of investing in referee development as part of a thriving football ecosystem.

This initiative is vital for maintaining the integrity of the game while inspiring the next generation of referees to pursue excellence.

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Brisbane Roar, Football Queensland (FQ), and the Queensland Government (QLD) have partnered to give more young people the chance to play football in the sunshine state.

Under the 'Active! Queensland' initiative, the QLD Government will provide a grant to Brisbane Roar's not-for-profit organisation Roar Recreation and Welfare Limited, extending the Football Queensland and Roar Football in the Community Program.

The funding aims to empower more children to get involved in sport and increase the number of active footballers.

Over 10,000 junior participants are estimated to take part in a range of different activities in the program across 2025.

Brisbane Roar will be responsible for organising over 270 clinics through the scheme, these will include school holiday clinics, community and school programs, training and education, plus game day activities.

Minister for Sport, Tim Mander, outlined the importance of the partnership for Queenslander children.

“To have a healthy community, it is essential that we have an active community,” he said in a press release.

“The physical, social and psychological rewards of sport are enormous, and football plays an important role in seeing these benefits reach young Queenslanders.

“Which is why we are proud to partner with Brisbane Roar to help more local kids enjoy the game, and hopefully set them on a path to years of involvement in sport and active recreation.”

Brisbane Roar Chairman and CEO, Kaz Patafta, expressed his appreciation for the extensive partnership.

“From our ongoing consultation with the Queensland Government, we are beyond grateful to be receiving this support to grow our community programs in collaboration with Football Queensland," he said via press release.

“With this new funding, Brisbane Roar together with Football Queensland is set to provide more opportunities for local Queensland kids to engage in football, aiming to expand the sport’s reach and impact across the region.

“We’re delighted to be able to provide more opportunities to local Queensland kids to play football as we endeavour to continue growing the game across Queensland."

The partnership kicked off last Thursday at Suncorp stadium.

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On Wednesday, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will ratify Sydney, Perth and the Gold Coast as hosts of the upcoming Women's Asia Cup 2026. Games will be played across Stadium Australia and Western Sydney Stadium, the Perth Rectangular Arena, Perth Stadium, and the Gold Coast Stadium.

While the Women's Asian Cup is a momentous occasion for Australian football, the exclusion of Melbourne stands as a missed opportunity.

Known as the sporting capital of the nation, Melbourne holds an incredibly passionate soccer fanbase and has continually delivered excellence on the pitch.

Zealous and Loyal Fanbase 

Most recently, Melbourne hosted six Women's World Cup games at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, otherwise known as AAMI Park, in 2023 for hungry audiences. Of the six games, five reached over 90% capacity according to AuStadiums, illustrating the desire Melbournians and Victorians have for more football.

Furthermore, Victorians have consistently shown up to support their teams across both the men's and women's A-Leagues. According to AuStadiums, in last year's ALW season, AAMI Park was on average the most attended stadium of the grounds which had hosted 10 or more games, averaging 3,500 people per game. This accomplishment built off of the 22/23 season where AAMI Park had also averaged the largest crowds for stadiums for which had hosted multiple games.

In the men's competition, AAMI Park has been by far the most played at stadium, with more than 30 games played at the stadium each season since the 21/22 season. Through this, AAMI Park has consistently achieved the highest total attendance of any A-League stadium and has additionally maintained strong crowd averages.

AAMI Park was the third most attended ground on average last year for stadiums which had hosted multiple games. Additionally, AAMI Park also appeared the most in the top 10 attended games of the year, hosting four of the largest crowds of the 23/24 season.

To deny such a passionate fanbase the opportunity to see their national team, and other elite Asian teams, locally, would be a travesty. Compounding it, the decision to neglect one of Australia's most beloved, professional and modern stadiums on a global stage is another disappointment.

World Class Facilities

In the latest Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) 2023-24 A-League Men Report insights from players, executive teams and coaches, AAMI Park was one of the highest scoring stadiums across Australia and New Zealand.

In terms of pitch quality, measured by the pace, smoothness, hardness and overall quality of the surface, AAMI Park scored above average. Depending on the hosting team, the stadium was rated between 3.5 stars to 4 stars placing it above the 3.2 average across the league.

Additionally, AAMI Park recorded the best atmosphere leaguewide when Melbourne Victory played, achieving a 4.4-star rating. Nearly half a star higher than the second-best atmospheric stadium.

These sentiments were similarly echoed in the most recent PFA A-League Women Report from the 2023-24 season. The report illustrated AAMI Park as one of the premier stadiums in the country, with the ground achieving a 4-star and near perfect 4.9-star rating, across its two hosts.

Australia's Most Liveable City 

In combination with providing a world class stadium for some of the world's best teams, hosting games at AAMI Park in Melbourne at the Women's Asia Cup would have propelled Australia's image on the global stage by highlighting one of the world's most liveable cities. Ranked fourth in the world for most liveable cities by the Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Liveability Index 2024, Melbourne continues to showcase the very best of Australia.

Travelling fans would get to enjoy the cultural events and sights Melbourne has to offer, while also finding their way to and from games easily due to Melbourne's simple public transport system.

Furthermore, Melbourne would not only highlight the best of Australia to travellers, but to an ever-increasing global audience. With the rise of interest in women's football, the amount of people watching and interacting with games has increased exponentially.

According to FIFA, over two billion people engaged with the Women's World Cup in 2023. Furthermore, the tournament produced over 2.72 billion viewer hours, a 9.2% increase in consumption from the 2019 Women's World Cup. With so many eyes now on women's football, it makes sense to put forth Australia's best.

Conclusion 

Fortunately, as Australia's most loved team, the Matildas will draw crowds wherever they play, having now sold out 16 home games in a row.

Yet the neglect of Melbourne from the Women's Asia Cup will prevent one of the country's most fervent fanbases, which has repeatedly supported the national team and the A-Leagues, from witnessing one of Australia's most important sporting events.

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The second-ever edition of the Unite Round sparked some interesting debates and narratives about whether the A-League can properly host an inclusive event of this scale.

As the contract with Destination NSW expires, the question remains; Is the experiment worth committing to or should it be scrapped?

A potentially unfair comparison would be to NRL's Magic Round and AFL's Gather Round who managed to succeed with the concept in its first two seasons. It's quite simple, the A-League don't have the wide-ranging committed supporter base to reach those heights just yet.

But will they do so quick enough for this investment to be worth it?

Challenges that undermine Unite Round

It was a weekend that had a few positives, as mentioned in the A-Leagues press release last week but was certainly marred by a slew of negative and/or embarrassing moments.

Whilst match-going fans, who spent the weekend in Sydney, anecdotally seemed to truly enjoy the experience, there simply weren't enough that flew out to watch their team play.

The 45,000-capacity Allianz Stadium had a rather empty look for most of the games, mirroring Covid lockdown football, and the lack of atmosphere really took away from the experience that was promised when the concept replaced the controversial Sydney Grand Final deal last season.

For a league that has constantly struggled with attendances since the horror 2021-22 season (which saw attendances slashed in half post-covid), the ability to hold a full-scale weekend of football in one city is realistically never going to work, especially in a cost-of-living crisis.

Another issue that is increasingly being brought up in media and fan spaces is the NSW Police releasing a statement before the weekend had started, ensuring that they were going to crackdown on pre-game marches, flares, banners and flags in an attempt to 'keep everyone safe'.

Baffling for any hardcore fan, it was a truly tone-deaf action that stripped football of its core: intense and passionate tribalism.

Highlights of the weekend

Focusing on the positives, in the A-League press release, they revealed the numbers behind an improvement on last season's first-ever United Round.

- 33 goals were scored across 12 games between both the Ninja A-League Women and Isuzu UTE A-League Men.

- Attendance was up 50% on the first-ever Unite Round with a cumulative match attendance of more than 71,000 fans. This was certainly helped by an amazing 30,777 crowd to watch the Sydney Derby.

- Over a thousand fans take part in grassroots clinics, tournament and fan zones.

Commenting on the overall feel of Unite Round 2024/25, Nick Garcia, A-Leagues Commissioner, said:

“It was a turbulent build up with a ticketing outage, a change in venue for our six Ninja A-League Women matches and a planned train strike - but we’re really proud to have welcomed 50% more fans from across Australia and New Zealand to Sydney compared to our first-ever Unite Round," Garcia said in a press release.

“We really believe in the long term potential of this partnership with the NSW Government and Destination NSW, establishing a new tradition and welcoming football fans from across Australia and New Zealand to electrify this incredible city.

"This event really resonates with our young and diverse fanbase and aligns with our drive to unite communities through a shared love of football. It’s the pinnacle weekend of professional football, and we hope this is a tradition that we can continue to build on and grow in the coming years.

“It’s been a really strong start to our 20th season. Crowds have grown by 30% year-on-year across the first four rounds of the Isuzu UTE A-League Men, while the new Saturday night doubleheader on 10 Bold has also increased the free-to-air national audience by 34%. We look forward to continuing this momentum across both leagues as we move into the summer period.”

The path forward for Unite Round

The words from Nick Garcia suggest that the A-League are committed to making this concept work and are hoping the progress made in the last 10 months can be replicated over time.

The direction in which the United Round goes in is still unknown with the expiration of Destination NSW but it also could lead to an innovation that bursts this weekend into life.

Do they try it in New Zealand for a year? Or up in the Gold Coast where people might have more incentive to enjoy a weekend up in the Sunshine Coast?

The chance for experimentation surely has to be attempted considering the trends suggesting that this weekend won't be considered an outright 'success' in the short term.

Conclusion

In the end, the future of the Unite Round hinges on bold experimentation and a commitment to creating a uniquely football-centric spectacle.

Whether it's exploring new locations like New Zealand or the Gold Coast, or innovating to better engage fans across the country, the A-League has an opportunity to redefine what a national celebration of football can look like.

The league’s struggles with attendance and atmosphere are real, but so too is the potential for growth in a competition that resonates with Australia’s diverse and passionate football community.

The Unite Round has shown glimmers of promise amid its challenges—now it’s up to the A-League to seize that promise and turn it into a tradition worth rallying behind.

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Melbourne Victory has confirmed G.T. & J.A. Jones Engineering as a Premier Partner of the club for the 2024/25 season.

The premier collaboration develops off of Jones Engineering's supporting partnership with Victory during their 2023/24 final series and grand final appearance.

This latest alliance is particularly special for Melbourne Victory, as Jones Engineering will not only support the club, but also club legend Leigh Broxham in his recently created club ambassadorial role.

Broxham achieved 18 years of service with Melbourne Victory, becoming the club's most capped player of all time as he helped guide the team to four Championships, three Premierships and two Australia Cups.

Through the collaboration, Jones Engineering will become an Official Ambassador Partner of Melbourne Victory and will have their branding appear on Broxham's Club Polo.

Additionally, Jones Engineering will also become a player sponsor of Olyroo Ryan Teague and women's victory medalist Rachel Lowe.

Melbourne Victory Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie expressed her excitement for the deal.

“We are thrilled to keep Jones Engineering as part of the Melbourne Victory family and as an Official Premier Partner for the 2024/25 season," she said via press release.

"Their deep ties to the Club, starting as supporters and members, then evolving to player sponsors, and now as premier partners, make this collaboration truly special.

"Their support for Leigh Broxham’s ambassadorial role underpins their commitment to celebrating legacy and leadership, both values that are fundamental to Melbourne Victory.”

Jones Engineering Manager, Mark Jones shared similar attitudes.

“As long-time Melbourne Victory members and fans, we’re thrilled to become an Official Partner of the Club. To transition from passionate supporters to proud Premier Partners is a true honour," he said via press release.

"Partnering with Leigh Broxham, a Victory legend whose loyalty and resilience epitomise the Club’s values, is a privilege for our family-run Melbourne business. Supporting Broxy’s continued service reflects our shared commitment to longevity and success.”

Jones Engineering is an engineering organisation with over 45 years of experience, delivering high quality repairs and services to industrial clients.

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The Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) has marked a significant year of achievement and player advocacy at its Annual General Meeting, highlighting the organisation's continued commitment to supporting professional footballers nationally in this financial year.

The AGM showcased a remarkable year of growth and impact, with the organisation reporting a record membership of 704 players and a comprehensive range of support services that extend far beyond the football pitch.

It also announced some notable leadership development, David Williams was elected to the PFA Executive, bringing valuable experience from his A-League Men career.

David Williams has commented on his connection with the PFA and his dedication to the new role.

“For me joining the Executive means a great deal. To have the backing from my peers and friends within the PFA is special and I feel humbled to be chosen for this role," he said via press release.

“I have depended on the PFA over my career and have benefited from it and used so many resources and received so much help over my years as a PFA member.

“To now be able to give my insights and experience over my career and contribute positively to all PFA members is a privilege and a role I will be honoured to take on. I look forward to working closely with all involved."

Alongside David Williams, Dylan Holmes was ratified in his position, while international players Clare Hunt and Mathew Ryan were re-elected to continue their influential roles.

The meeting also celebrated five outstanding members with Life Membership, recognising Leigh Broxham, Natasha Rigby, Jason Hoffman, Emma Checker, and Mark Milligan for their exceptional contributions to the sport and the players' union.

A key highlight was the Footballers' Trust, the organisation's charitable arm, which has invested over $500,000 into 24 community programs since its establishment five years ago. This initiative underscores the players' commitment to giving back to the community.

The PFA's comprehensive support for players was evident in its impressive statistics for the 2023/24 financial year. The organisation opened 190 legal cases, secured $500,000 in outstanding salaries, and provided 203 education grants.

Mental health support remained a critical focus, with 1,082 confidential sessions accessed by members.

PFA Chief Executive Beau Busch emphasised the significance of the players' leadership, stating that the organisation continues to be driven by a commitment to player welfare and professional development.

Other notable achievements included delivering skin cancer checks for National Team players, hosting 18 past player events, and facilitating skill development workshops for 483 A-Leagues players. The organisation also secured a world-leading Collective Bargaining Agreement for National Team players.

The returning and newly appointed Executives, led by Jackson Irvine as President and Francis Awaritefe as Chair, reflect a strong, diverse leadership committed to advancing the interests of professional footballers in Australia.

As the PFA continues to evolve, its focus remains clear: supporting players, advocating for their rights, and contributing positively to the broader football ecosystem.

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The A-Leagues concluded their second edition of 'Unite Round' over the weekend, with a substantial crowd increase achieved when compared to last year's event.

Attendances were up by over 50% on the first-ever Unite Round, with a cumulative match attendance of more than 71,000 spectators.

33 goals were scored across the 12 games at Allianz Stadium and Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, in what was an entertaining round of domestic football.

Other activities were organised for the celebration of football, including a huge grassroots Unite Cup tournament, Girls Unite clinics, buzzing fan zones and a multicultural march.

Speaking in relation to Unite Round 2024/25, Nick Garcia, A-Leagues Commissioner, stated: “It was a turbulent build up with a ticketing outage, a change in venue for our six Ninja A-League Women matches and a planned train strike - but we’re really proud to have welcomed 50% more fans from across Australia and New Zealand to Sydney compared to our first-ever Unite Round.

“We worked with fans, clubs and our event partners to evolve and elevate the fan experience, and across the weekend, Kogarah and Moore Park were a buzz with grassroots activities and fans celebrating the world game.

“We had more than 600 fans, representing 40 countries, take part in our multicultural march on Friday night to honour the cultural diversity of our game. While current stars from the Ninja A-League Women led the next generation of stars in our Girls Unite Gala Days, and almost 100 grassroots teams battled it out across Moore Park to be crowned the first Unite Cup champions.

“We really believe in the long term potential of this partnership with the NSW Government and Destination NSW, establishing a new tradition and welcoming football fans from across Australia and New Zealand to electrify this incredible city. This event really resonates with our young and diverse fanbase, and aligns with our drive to unite communities through a shared love of football. It’s the pinnacle weekend of professional football, and we hope this is a tradition that we can continue to build on and grow in the coming years.”

Past and present A-League players also participated in fan zone activities alongside supporters, with players also acknowledged at the match-day function as a part of the league’s ongoing celebrations of its 20th season.

The A-Leagues have had a great start to the season according to Garcia, noting increases in key metrics in the opening rounds overall.

“It’s been a really strong start to our 20th season," he said.

"Crowds have grown by 30% year-on-year across the first four rounds of the Isuzu UTE A-League Men, while the new Saturday night doubleheader on 10 Bold has also increased the free-to-air national audience by 34%. We look forward to continuing this momentum across both leagues as we move into the summer period.”

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Newcastle Jets CEO, Shane Mattiske, has confirmed he will transition out of his role at the club.

Mattiske served for four years as CEO but believes now is the right time to depart, after helping gain the club new ownership under Maverick Sports Partners.

Mattiske led the consortium of A-League clubs to save the Jets in 2021, when former owner Martin Lee was stripped of the club's license for failing to pay off debts.

In a press release, Mattiske applauded the new owners and thanked Newcastle.

"It is truly a great thing to have Maverick Sport Partners behind our club and supporting its growth moving forward. I want to again thank Maurice Bisetto and the broader Jets ownership group for their belief in this club and the potential of this community," he said.

"I also want to acknowledge the significant commitment that our outgoing owners made to supporting our club and backing the shift to a new future for the Jets.

"With the beginning of this new chapter for the club, it is the appropriate time for me pass leadership to Maurice and the new ownership group. The last four years has been an incredible experience and one that, despite some challenging times, I will always value. I’ve been privileged to be part of a club that is so important to such a big community and one that has such potential for the future. I will always have the club’s success on my mind and will continue to do whatever I can to support its future."

Maverick Sports Partners Executive Director, Maurice Bisetto commented Mattiske's work at the club.

“The last four years have been a difficult period for the Jets. Under Shane’s stewardship, the organisation has navigated turbulent waters and is now well positioned to embark on a new era," he said via press release.

"On behalf of Maverick Sports Partners and the community we thank Shane for his contribution to the Newcastle Jets.”

Bisetto will step in as interim CEO, while the club searches for a full-time replacement.

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The City in the Community (CiTC) initiative ‘Man Up: Creating Respectful Relationships’ has launched the evaluation report for the pilot program, which aims to promote healthy relationships, respect, and gender equality. The initiative, funded by the Federal Government’s Safer Communities Grant, was rolled out through Victorian community settings, primary and secondary schools. 

CiTC Young Leaders and football coaches delivered the program, which included contributions from A-League Women’s star Laura Hughes, Melbourne City’s Powerchair champion Shaun Millett, and A-League Men's teams. The program targeted adolescents, with a specific focus on multicultural youths using sports as a hook to get youths interested in participating. 

Important findings from the initiative's evaluation were that there was a demonstrated shift in masculine attitudes, youths exhibited positive impacts on Young Leaders and peer influences, leading to improved relationships. 

Local state MPs and federal representatives supported the launch of the report findings. Tim Richardson MP (Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention) spoke at the launch, emphasising the significant importance of addressing gender-based violence and shifting attitudes of adolescents.

Dr Pam Kappelides (La Trobe University) instructed the evaluation of the program and applauded the report for initiating critical conversations. 

Women’s A-League Melbourne City player Laura Hughes spoke about her role and experience from participating as a Youth Leader. 

“As a professional footballer, I hope I can positively impact young people’s lives in some way,” she said in a press release.

“I’ve especially enjoyed connecting with young men sharing some of the barriers female athletes face as well as the great opportunities we’re afforded here at City.” 

Key recommendations found from the program:

• Extend the length of the program beyond one day in some cases
• Establish a long-term evaluation system
• Incorporate visual/interactive elements
• Evaluate program title change 
• Source for experienced leaders/coaches

CiTC hopes to extend the initiative and seeks stakeholder and funder engagement. Victorian schools have reached out to CiTC to bring the program to their students in both primary and secondary schools.

The program successfully used football as a platform to engage youths in participating, actively engaging, and having critical conversations to understand the importance of promoting gender equality and healthy relationships among young people. 

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Football Australia proudly acknowledges the Australian Sports Commission’s latest AusPlay survey, highlighting football's enduring popularity in Australia.

The Australian Sports Commission's recent AusPlay survey conducted between July 2023 and July 2024, surveyed 40,000 Australians and highlights several key data supporting the sustained growth of football in Australia through high participation rates and engagement.

The survey indicates football as the highest-ranked sport in Australia, beating out other popular team sports, such as basketball, netball, and Australian rules football. 

The survey uncovered a few positive health trends for Australians, 84% of Australian adults engage in physical activity, and informal participation in sports is increasing, seeming to be the preferred option for individuals or Australians exercising with family and friends. 

Football Australia CEO, James Johnson, spoke about football’s position in Australia, the sport's inclusivity, and community recognition that supports FA.

“The AusPlay findings reaffirm football’s place at the heart of Australian sport. These participation numbers speak to football’s inclusivity and its power to connect people of all backgrounds, genders and ages, whether they are new to the game or lifelong fans. I want to thank the entire football community - including our Member Federations, the A-League clubs, all the community clubs around Australia, the participants, and the countless volunteers - who contribute so much to our game’s success and growth," he said via press release.

FA initiatives can be credited with increasing participation rates for youths and adolescents across Australia, the Coles MiniRoos program has created an environment where young Australians feel supported and enjoy playing football.

The Club Changer program is a partnership initiative between the FA and the Australian Sports Commission that assists football clubs in creating an inclusive environment, safe spaces, and sustainability for long-term success. 

Impact factors that occur away from FA, state governing initiatives and programs that contribute to football’s success in participation across Australia are the successes of international football teams, the Matildas, and the Subway Socceroos. FA has grown a strong volunteer culture, with 145 million hours being annually contributed by volunteers supporting football in Australia. 

FA is aligning with the Australian Sport Participation Strategy Play Well. FA is leaning into the report findings to tailor its programs to participation needs, arranging informal and less structured play options and emphasising its focus on building stronger communities through football. 

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Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) has confirmed the continuation of its pivotal partnership with Austraffic, extending into the 2024-25 A-Leagues season.

This marks the fourth consecutive year of collaboration between the players' union and the traffic data specialists.

Established in 1983 under the name Australasian Traffic Surveys, Austraffic has emerged as a leading authority in transport analysis across Australia and New Zealand.

The organisation has completed countless comprehensive studies focusing on traffic patterns, transport systems, and pedestrian movements throughout all states and territories.

Their team of specialist traffic engineers and IT professionals collaborate closely with customers, providing tailored support in survey design, detailed analysis, and sophisticated data presentation.

The collaboration encompasses two of Australian football's most prestigious honours: the monthly peer-voted Austraffic A-Leagues Player of the Month and the annual Austraffic PFA Footballer of the Year awards.

October saw Steph Catley, Jackson Irvine, Mary Fowler, and Alex Paulsen recognised as 2024's major award recipients.

Kathryn Gill PFA Co-Chief Executive has spoken on the excitement of the continued partnership.

“Austraffic has proudly partnered with our Players’ Awards for the past three years, celebrating the outstanding achievements of A-Leagues footballers and Australians playing professionally abroad, both on a monthly and annual basis," she said via press release.

“As we enter our fourth year together, Austraffic’s continued commitment to recognising player excellence enables us to elevate these player-voted awards."

Austraffic’s Martin Jordan-Williams, the company's principal in Queensland, also mirrored the enthusiasm of another year for the partnership.

“We are delighted to continue our wonderful partnership with the PFA and their player awards for a fourth consecutive year, as we embark on yet another exciting A-Leagues season," he said via press release.

“The PFA’s player awards celebrate the excellence of Australians playing both in the A-Leagues and overseas, which aligns with our values at Austraffic. We can’t wait to see the next crop of players recognised throughout the next 12 months for their endeavours on the field."

Each monthly winner's achievement is commemorated with a specially designed Park SSC ball, continuing a second-year partnership emphasising community impact.

Winners commit to donating ten balls to local community programmes and schools, fostering grassroots development.

Last season's recipients included standout performers Alex Paulsen, Josh Nisbet, Adam Taggart, and Bruno Fornaroli in the men's competition.

Holly McNamara, Chloe Logarzo, and Michelle Heyman were among the women's honourees.

The awards, established in 2009 with Tim Cahill as the inaugural men's winner, have grown to become Australian football's benchmark for peer recognition.

The women's category, introduced in 2010 with Servet Uzunlar's victory, completes what has become the sport's most comprehensive player-driven awards programme.

This partnership reinforces both organisations' commitment to recognising excellence in Australian football, with voting for the 2024-25 season's first monthly award set to commence as the A-Leagues season progresses.

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Melbourne Victory is excited to introduce Zib Digital as the Club’s leading Digital Marketing Partner for the 2024/25 season.

This collaboration underscores Melbourne Victory's commitment to boosting fan and business engagement through innovative digital strategies, utilising Zib Digital's expertise in connecting brands with audiences via digital marketing.

With a shared commitment to digital excellence, Zib Digital will play a key role in helping the Club strengthen its online presence and deepen community ties.

The company boasts a dedicated team of over 140 digital specialists across Australia and New Zealand, each bringing expertise in areas such as SEO, Google Ads, social media, email marketing, content writing, and digital design. With experience working with over 800 clients, from small businesses to national sportswear retailers, they have a proven track record of delivering exceptional results.

The team of experts combines their skills and experience to develop customised, data-driven digital strategies designed to meet the unique needs of each client.

Melbourne Victory Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, shared her enthusiasm for the deal via press release.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Zib Digital as our Premier Digital Marketing Partner. Zib Digital’s dedication to digital innovation aligns perfectly with our vision to Lead, Unite, Connect, and Inspire. Together, we look forward to delivering unique and engaging experiences for our fans and highlight and amplify Melbourne Victory and football, in this, our 20th season, to the broader community.”

Nicole Wagenecht, Chief Growth Officer at Zib Digital, also commented via press release.

“This partnership with Melbourne Victory is an exciting step for us, as we join forces with Australia’s most iconic football club. We’re dedicated to helping Melbourne Victory reach new heights in digital engagement, bringing fans closer to the action and creating more impactful experiences.”

Through this alliance, Melbourne Victory and Zib Digital seek to foster meaningful digital engagement, enriching the experience for Melbourne Victory fans.

To learn more about Zib Digital, click here.

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RT Health has confirmed an exclusive offer for A-League players, the offer features a 5% discount across most coverage levels and extended waiting period waivers.

Players who sign up before December 9 will receive six weeks of free coverage on Hospital and Extras packages, up from the standard four-week offer.

The deal requires players to select the Silver Plus Assure + Top Extras plan to meet their contractual obligations.

RT Health is an Australian-based Health Insurance company that has its roots in giving health care to working Australians and their families for 130 years. It has a close connection to the transport and railway working community.

Last year it merged with HCF, Australia’s largest not-for-profit health fund.

Under A-League player agreements, all professional footballers must maintain comprehensive private health coverage throughout their contract term.

The required insurance must cover hospital, medical, dental, physiotherapy, chiropractic, and orthotics treatments. This coverage must remain active during any injury or illness sustained while employed with their club.

Players who fail to maintain adequate health coverage may be financially exposed, clubs are only obligated to cover reasonable medical expenses up to the amount that would have been covered by the required insurance plan.

Players must also be prepared to provide evidence of their current coverage whenever club management requests it.

Erin Clout, PFA Head of Player Relations Women, has been vocal on the need for professional players to acquire high-grade health care.

“Each pre-season we remind our members that under their A-League contract, they are to hold top-level cover of a reputable private health provider," she commented via press release.

“Without this, players can be held responsible for the costs of serious injury, which can cause significant financial and emotional stress. The partnership with RT Health provides our members peace of mind that they are not only meeting this requirement, but they are working with a provider with a long-standing history of supporting workers across Australia.

“We hope by building partnerships with like-minded companies such as RT Health, we can reduce the administrative burden of our members and keep their hard-earned money in their back pockets."

With the strain and pressure of professional football finding even a good insurance deal can be a challenging ordeal, not to mention it is important to be aware of the health insurance with contractual regulations of A-League clubs.

RT Health is a captivating partner with its proud history of supporting the safety of Australian union-based workers and therefore a perfect fit for the union-based PFA.

This collaboration also symbolically helps the PFA tackle an age old stereotype of the professional footballer being indifferent to the average working Australian. Even professionals need health support and coming from a staunch worker based health insurance proves they have more in common with us all then they are sometimes given credit for.

The PFA is once again delivering on its promise to ease the everyday burden on players and this deal with the like-minded RT Health shows their partnerships are still focused on the core ideals of putting their members welfare and health first.

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Former National Soccer League media personalities Kyle Patterson and Greg Blake have rekindled their broadcast friendship for the Old Gold Soccer podcast.

The podcast will explore the growth, turmoil, trouble and successes of soccer's history in Australia.

Episodes will focus and reflect on the key events that have shaped Australian soccer, such as the country's first World Cup Qualification in 1974 and the difficult years of the NSL.

The Old Gold Podcast will particularly narrow down on 2004, the year Australian soccer was changed forever following the demise of the NSL and birth of the A-League, when "New Football" replaced "Old Soccer".

Co-host and former SBS sports journalist, Kyle Patterson, outlined what Old Gold Soccer aimed to achieve.

"The whole premise of this podcast series, Old Gold Soccer, is to say - let's turn it on its head. Old Soccer is a very disparaging term used to blacken the great work of a lot of people and a lot of generations," he said in episode one.

"I reckon there is a lot more gold in Old Soccer sometimes, than there is in the New Football.

'We are going to try and celebrate all the great things that were a part of Old Soccer and show you the lessons that can be used today in New Football."

Released on Friday, episode one of the Old Gold Soccer podcast covered the Old Soccer vs New Football debate and the impact it still has on soccer in Australia.

Speaking on his frustrations around Old Soccer vs New Football, co-host and former SBS and Channel Nine sports journalist and commentator, Greg Blake, voiced his opinion.

"It astounds me that we don't realise that the thread that runs through the whole thing is the same thread," he said.

"We're not two different competitions."

The Old Gold Soccer podcast is available on Spotify.

The post NSL media greats reunite for Old Gold Soccer podcast appeared first on Soccerscene.

Melbourne Victory has confirmed RUBIX will continue to operate as the club's official data partner for the 2024/25 season. The collaboration follows a prosperous first year between the club and RUBIX.

RUBIX is a prominent Melbourne based data company, with offices across Australia and the US. The company has worked for high profile clients such as the Victorian State Government, Australia Post, Telstra and more.

RUBIX has successfully delivered over 350 projects for leading Top 50 companies, rapidly expanding FinTech and software firms.

The company was also a back-to-back SmartCompany award winner in 2022 and 2021 and earned a CRN Fast50 award in 2020.

RUBIX will aide Melbourne Victory's growth and fan engagement strategies using the company's knowledge in statistics, data technology, analysis, and artificial intelligence.

Melbourne Victory Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, warmly welcomed RUBIX via press release.

“We’re thrilled to have RUBIX on board as the Club’s Official Data Partner for a second season," she said.

“Their world-leading solutions have already offered incredible insights across our operations, and we’re excited to leverage their tools further to help Melbourne Victory grow and engage more deeply with our fans and community.”

Head of Marketing and Brand at RUBIX, Kathryn Smith, also expressed her eagerness for the collaboration.

“This partnership with Melbourne Victory continues to be a fantastic opportunity for us to support one of Melbourne’s most iconic sporting teams with data-driven insights and technology,” she said via press release.

“We look forward to using our innovative solutions to help the Club drive growth, enhance fan engagement, and deliver a richer experience for supporters.”

Together, Melbourne Victory and RUBIX will continue to analyse and adopt new initiatives to improve experiences for fans and drive the club further then ever before.

Through the collaboration, Melbourne Victory will hope to build off of a successful 2023/2024 season, which saw the club reach the A-League Men's Grand Final.

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Sydney FC is excited to unveil a new partnership with Cancer Council, Australia’s leading cancer charity, in celebration of their 20th anniversary season.

The collaboration between both organisations is a powerful tool for reaching countless Australians by spreading awareness and donating money to life-saving cancer research. 

With one of the largest fan bases in the A-League, the cancer council's partnership with Sydney FC builds community support and reaches many eyes. 

Cancer Council NSW Chief Executive Officer Sarah Hosking spoke on the exciting partnership with Sydney FC. 

“Partnering with Sydney FC will provide us the opportunity to connect with the Greater Sydney community, empowering Aussies to prevent cancer and support world-class research, reducing the impact of this deadly disease,” she said in a press release.

The cancer statistics for Australians are alarming, by the first kick-off of every A-League season, 51,000 Australians would have lost their life in the past year. Almost 1 in 2 Australians are diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85. 

Cancer survival rates have increased to 70% for Australians, partnering with a community-based club, donations will continue to drive up higher survival rights.

The collaboration targets the male demographic, who typically lack in getting health checks and keeping on top of health management. Males in Australia are less likely than females to seek out healthcare services and have a shorter life expectancy for these reasons.

Sydney FC Chief Executive Officer Mark Aubrey called on the Sydney FC community to support the initiative.

“Together with Cancer Council, we’re inviting our fans and the wider community to stand together against cancer, to make a lasting impact that will save lives and build a healthier future for all,” he said in a press release.

Sydney FC player Harrison Devenish-Meares shared a personal story of his mother, Rossanna, being diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, a cancerous tumour that formed on the kidney back in 2021. Rossanna found out the diagnosis through an unrelated health issue. 

Harrison began to plan a return to Australian football to be closer to his mother and struggled to play overseas while she underwent treatment. The treatment for Harrison’s mother was successful, and her new lease on life has inspired her to raise $4,000 for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea. 

Harrison reflected on his family’s experience with cancer and what his takeaway was from the ordeal.

“When it hits close to home, it hits different. Mum was lucky that her cancer was detected early, and her prognosis was excellent. I take inspiration from the fact she’s used it as a springboard to live a more fulfilling life,” he said in a press release.

The objectives are to spread awareness of these alarming statistics, reach a demographic of Australians neglecting their health, communicate how Australians can help donate and build community support across the Greater Sydney community. 

The post Sydney FC and Cancer Council Unite for 20th anniversary alliance appeared first on Soccerscene.

Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) have confirmed Kathryn Gill will be stepping down as Co-Chief Executive, ending more than ten years of dedication to Australia's professional players.

The former Matildas captain joined PFA's management team in 2015, after serving as the first female member on the PFA Executive Committee.

After her appointment, Gill played a key role in establishing the first-ever Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for A-League Women, which greatly enhanced player conditions. She also helped secure the landmark 2019 CBA promoting gender equality for both the Matildas and Socceroos.

In 2020, Gill became Co-Chief Executive, guiding the organisation through the challenges of COVID-19 and successfully negotiating long-term collective agreements for all A-Leagues and National Team players.

Gill also represented Asia and Oceania on the FIFPRO Global Board for four years, where she was pivotal in promoting the development of player associations globally.

She talked about her time at the PFA over the years.

“Stepping down from my role as Co-Chief Executive has not been an easy decision, as my time with the PFA has been profoundly rewarding, both personally and professionally,” she said via press release.

“Over the past decade, the PFA has led transformative changes in Australian football, with players at the forefront of this progress.

“The members are the heartbeat of the PFA and it has been an absolute privilege to work for such incredible people, whose belief, trust, and unwavering commitment to improving the working conditions for all players has been nothing short of remarkable.

“I leave knowing that the members are in the capable hands of Beau Busch, a selfless and progressive leader, who alongside the extraordinary PFA staff, work tirelessly to ensure that every player has the opportunity for the best career possible.”

PFA Chair Francis Awaritefe honoured Gill’s contributions to both the players and the sport.

“Over the last decade, Kate has played an outstanding role in advancing the careers of players and the well-being of the game in Australia and, at the international level, as a Global Board member of FIFPRO and the PFA’s representative for FIFPRO ASIA/OCEANIA,” he said via press release.

“Due to her influence and fierce intelligence, Kate’s achievements as a leader go beyond the important role she has played in championing gender equity, equal pay and conditions for women players.”

From the team at Soccerscene, we thank Kate for all she’s done for the players and for football throughout her tenure and wish her all the best with what’s next!

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The Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund (RCSIF) and the 2024-25 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSIF) are giving regional and metropolitan communities opportunities to develop their sporting facilities. The fund aims to support all abilities and women-focused infrastructure.

The RCSIF has highlighted a focus on planning, designing, and building indoor stadiums, female facilities, aquatic facilities, and communal and all-ability facilities. This plan ensures sports participation opportunities for all community members.  

The 2024-25 LSIF allows metropolitan and regional communities to receive funds to create active recreational community projects. These include sports courts, lights, play spaces, change rooms, and skate parks. 

Additional grants of $50,000 for Victorian LGAs through RCSIF to boost community participation are also available. 

The Victorian Minister for Community Sport, Ros Spencer, spoke on the investment opportunity for metropolitan and regional communities.

"By upgrading facilities and removing barriers to entry, we are making sure even more people can get involved in local sport in their own communities," he said via press release.

"These funds are making sure all Victorians, no matter where they live, have world-class sporting facilities."

The comprehensive initiative is a welcome investment into a sustainable community activity area, encouraging LGAs to invest in their area. A project of this magnitude is a win for the long-term development of football in Victoria. From female to accessible athletes, they are huge and deserving beneficiaries of this project fund.

RCSIF has significant financial backing from the Regional Community Sport Development Fund and the All Abilities Sports Fund. The first round of funding invested $20 million in these Victorian communities across 26 infrastructure projects. Regional development opportunities will flourish, bridging the city-country gap in Victoria. 

Regional and metropolitan communities can apply for these investment grants as round 2 is now open for applicants. RCSIF round 2 closes on the 17th of March 2025, and LSIF round 2 closes on the 17th of February 2025. 

For more information about the programs and how to apply, visit Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund.

Also for the Local Sports Infrastructure Fund, click here.

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Football Australia has officially announced the launch of the National Second Tier (NST) competition, a key milestone in its commitment to advancing domestic club football in Australia.

Following extensive workshops and consultations with the eight NST Foundation Clubs, Football Australia confirmed the NST will kick off in October 2025, highlighting the best in Australian club football through a modern and sustainable competition model.

Key Aspects of the 2025 NST Competition:

Commitment to Play: Football Australia, the NST Foundation Clubs, and stakeholders are committed to launching the NST in 2025, aligning with the strategic goal of connecting Australia's football pyramid and elevating iconic clubs to a national level.

Competition Structure: The NST will feature 16 teams, starting with group-stage matches and culminating in an elimination Finals Series. This structure is designed to balance sustainability with competitive integrity and commercial appeal.

Team Composition: The eight NST Foundation Clubs will gain automatic entry and be joined by eight invitational clubs, selected from the Member Federation NPL State Premiers, forming a truly national competition.

Season Timeline: The NST season will run annually from October to December, featuring nine match day rounds and concluding with a Championship Final in early December. This timeline aligns with the Domestic Match Calendar, ensuring optimal scheduling for players, fans, and stakeholders.

Brand Launch: Football Australia will unveil the competition’s official name, brand identity, marketing materials, and trophy design in the coming months, setting the stage for a memorable inaugural season.

Football Australia CEO James Johnson shared his excitement about the NST: “The introduction of the National Second Tier is a landmark moment for football in Australia. Following productive discussions with our eight Foundation Clubs and consultation with other stakeholders, we are committed to creating a competition that not only elevates our game but also enriches the football community at all levels. The National Second Tier will provide a new platform for iconic clubs to showcase their talent and connect with fans nationwide.”

Football Australia will continue collaborating with NST Foundation Clubs, Member Federations, and stakeholders to finalise the operational details for the competition.

Over the past year, Football Australia has conducted two detailed Request for Proposal (RFP) processes to select NST clubs. With advisory support from BDO, 14 clubs across six states and territories have met the technical requirements for the NST RFP process.

Of these 14 clubs, six did not meet the financial requirements for a standalone NST home-and-away league before the June 2024 deadline. Football Australia will monitor these clubs as they strengthen their proposals.

[caption id="attachment_27072" align="alignnone" width="565"] Marconi Stallions announced as a founding club of the National Second Tier.[/caption]

Additionally, Football Australia will initiate a third NST RFP selection process, extending eligibility to clubs outside the initial Expression of Interest and focusing on underrepresented regions to identify additional foundation clubs.

The eight clubs announced in November 2023—APIA Leichhardt FC, Avondale FC, Marconi Stallions FC, Preston Lions FC, South Melbourne FC, Sydney Olympic FC, Sydney United 58 FC, and Wollongong Wolves FC—remain central to the NST’s future and will continue as foundation members.

The six additional clubs that have met the NST RFP technical criteria are Adelaide City FC, Caroline Springs-George Cross FC, Gold Coast United FC, Gungahlin United FC, South Hobart FC, and Sunshine Coast FC.

Further updates will be provided as the NST evolves, with a standalone NST home-and-away league remaining a key strategic goal once minimum requirements are met.

The post Football Australia announces new format and October 2025 start date for National Second Tier appeared first on Soccerscene.

Northern NSW Football has expressed excitement having confirmed a formal collaboration with the Newcastle Jets.

This partnership highlights NNSWF’s dedication to supporting the Newcastle Jets, the region’s sole professional A-Leagues club, with a strong focus on the Jets Academy and access to the Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility.

NNSWF will support the Newcastle Jets Academy by featuring prominently on the Academy’s playing and training kits and by providing ongoing access to top-tier football facilities at LMRFF for training sessions and matches.

NNSWF will be represented at the Jets’ men’s and women’s A-League home games through match day sponsorship, advertising signage, and sponsorship of two NNSWF and Jets Academy players, Ben Van Dorssen and Claire Adams, who are involved in the senior squads.

The partnership will enable NNSWF to offer the football community access to the club, including Newcastle Jets players and match days through events held at home games. This includes opportunities for clubs to take part in halftime hero and mascot activities.

Northern NSW Football CEO Peter Haynes was excited to reveal the significant partnership.

“It’s an exciting new era for the Newcastle Jets with Maverick Sports Group becoming the club’s owners which makes this the perfect time for Northern NSW Football to formally partner with the club,” he said via press release.

“We acknowledge our responsibility to support the talented player pathway and help the club identify and develop local talent. We want to see more local talent like Will Dobson and Emma Dundas working their way through the pathway into playing professionally.

“This partnership highlights Northern NSW Football’s commitment to do everything within our power to help the Newcastle Jets be a successful and sustainable club on and off the pitch.”

Newcastle Jets Executive Director, Maurice Bisetto, shared similar sentiments.

“Northern NSW Football and the Newcastle Jets is the quintessential perfect partnership,” he said via press release.

“As the peak body for football in the region, NNSWF are uniquely qualified to collaborate with the Jets as we both have an accountability for the development of male and female footballers.

“We are both passionate about football and footballers in the region and the closer we work together, the higher the likelihood of developing the next Socceroo or Matilda from the region.

“We look forward to strengthening and growing our relationship with NNSWF into the future.”

NNSWF has also joined the Newcastle Jets affiliate membership program, allowing the football community throughout the region to buy memberships, with a portion of the fees supporting NNSWF’s pathway and development initiatives.

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The A-League season kicked off last weekend with a rise in viewership watching the penultimate 20th anniversary.

The biggest increase was the Sydney Derby where the number of viewers on 10 Play became the most-viewed regular season fixture in the league's history with a 46% increase from the same match last season as recorded by The 10 Network.

A couple of factors can be associated with this result. Importantly, it was the first game of the season, building on the start-of-the-season excitement.

The Sydney Derby has been one of the most watched and attended fixture in the A-league since the addition of the Western Sydney Wanderers in the 2012/2013 season.

Last season, it was only beaten in attendance and viewership by the top-of-the-table clash of Wellington Phoenix vs Melbourne Victory which recorded 33,000 attendees.

However, this isn’t just a sudden rising trend but has been growing from season-to-season. The 2023-2024 season recorded the largest amount of viewership in the league's history with 53 per cent on Paramount+ and 33 percent on 10 Play, while free-to-air TV saw a 16 percent rise on Network 10.

The 2023/24 Final Series had a sell-out attendance every game and The Grand Final averaged 316,000 on 10 and 10 Play (29,000), with a reach of 731,000.

In total, the Grand Final had a reach of around 1.17 million, making it the most-watched finals series since the 2009-2010 finals.

The overall viewership for both the A-League Men’s and Women’s 2023/24 seasons reached 5.72 million Australians across all modes of media.

A key part of last season's success was the increase in viewership of the Women's Liberty League (now the Ninja Women’s A-League). The biggest stat was the 611% increase in club memberships. A big part of the increase in support is credited to the rise of support in women's football following the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

Another point to argue is the arrival of high-profile players in the league with West Sydney Wanderers’ new marquee signing ex-Manchester United and Chelsea player Juan Mata and Sydney FC’s ex-Juventus and Brazil International Douglas Costa. These players' arrival to the league has gained massive interest from the reflective teams and the league as a whole.

Their debuts in a Sydney Derby pitted against each other was an event that would, of course, gain huge traction and kick off the league with some big ratings. It's still up in the air whether their star status and hopeful exciting impact can maintain viewership throughout the season.

This A-League Season has also introduced a new club with Auckland FC. Their first home game of the season vs Brisbane Roar held 24,400 spectators only a couple thousand shy from the WSW spectators at the derby.

The inclusion of a new team representing New Zealand's most populated area is a promising move towards more A-League spectators from NZ and increasing the overall number of viewers.

From all six A-league games of the first round, the number of spectators from last season (not counting Auckland FC) went up 53%.

Now this is the beginning of the season, and a true measure of success can only be recorded at the end of the season.

To add to this, other than the top 3 most attended games, the rest of the league recorded similar if not more negative results for the first-round attendance and presented a huge gap between the top three watched games and the lower three.

Though with the goal of a year-on-year rise in fan engagement, the success of last season and the obvious steps taken by the clubs and the leagues to further enrich the league (marquee signings, an added NZ derby and more investment) one can be confident that the Isuzu A-league and Ninja Women’s A -League are promising another record-breaking season for the game.

The post Viewership skyrockets for the start of the A-League season appeared first on Soccerscene.

In the last fortnight, Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) released their annual A-League Women’s report, providing an overview of the current state of the women’s game at the highest level in Australia.

Throughout the document the PFA pinpointed their key recommendation, make the A-League Women’s (ALW) competition a full-time professional league.

The association had previously earmarked this as their number one priority in the year prior, but have now doubled down – setting a timeline for implementation by the 2026-2027 season.

The timeframe has come from extensive feedback from stakeholders within the game, with the vast majority of players agreeing that action on this front must come sooner rather than later.

The report outlined in detail the difficulties players are having with the current part-time nature of the league - with most players not on 12-month contracts, minimum wages set at $25,000 and club salary caps sitting at $600,000 per season.

The representative body also highlighted the threat to the competition based on significant progress of other women’s sporting leagues here in Australia and more importantly overseas women’s football leagues.

“The global growth of women’s football presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the A-League Women,” PFA Co-Chief Executive Kate Gill stated.

“Our players recognise that the league must embrace full-time professionalism by 2026 to remain competitive on the global stage.

“Our league and club leaders must unite behind a new vision that drives professionalism, commercial growth, and investment.”

Competitions such as the UK Women’s Super League (WSL) and the US National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), have continued to build their presence in the global landscape.

The WSL has had a 700% increase in attendances, since establishing themselves as a full- time professional league in 2018.

The NWSL has recently increased its salary cap by 40% to $4.1 million for the 2024 season, after securing a significant broadcast deal worth 40 times more than their previous one.

Alongside this, a new American professional league, the United Soccer League’s Super League (USLS) launched in August of this year – with plans underway to continue to expand the competition.

These developments will continue to affect the ALW’s ability to not only retain but also attract talent to the Australian competition, as player salaries and conditions continue to rise in overseas leagues.

Of the 106 foreign player transfers into the ALW since 2018, 63 were Americans. 46% of the imported players (across all nationalities) came directly from the NWSL. With professionalism and club standards continuing to reach greater heights in competitions in America, for example, the ALW may continue to fall behind and not be an attractive proposition for foreign players coming into our competition, but also for players already competing in the ALW.

According to 2023-2024 end of season surveys conducted by the association, ALW players have now rated the NWSL as the second most preferred league to play in, behind the WSL in the UK.

In the previous year, 56% of ALW players put the ALW ahead of the NWSL on their respective lists, but a year later only 41% of players did the same.

It’s a clear sign that these leagues overseas are offering superior opportunities for players, which the ALW needs to try to combat and minimise this impact immediately.

With full time professionalism in the Australian competition set as a clear goal by the PFA, the commercial viability of the league will be at the forefront of any discussions around this.

The ALW did increase their crowds organically in the past season by 72 percent (on the back of a Women’s World Cup on home soil) however the PFA believes there were still strategic missteps that could have led to even further growth.

Based on fan focus groups setup by the organisation, newly converted Matildas fans were ignorant to details about ALW teams and schedules – due to a lack of promotion to spectators who attended international matches.

With the Women’s Asian Cup also to be played in Australia in two years’ time, the same mistakes cannot be made and capitalising on these home tournaments is paramount.

The 2026 Women’s Asian Cup is set to be an important part of the PFA’s proposed professional relaunch of the A-League women’s competition, using the major tournament to enhance the leagues visibility.

Alongside this, the report claims that an improvement of the ALW’s match presentation is needed - from consistent match day experiences, to appropriate venues for games and better broadcast standards.

All of these factors should, alongside overall improvements to club environments, lead to an attractive product that may eventually reap commercial rewards in the future.

The question is however, will the next step of initial investment towards a professional full-time A-League Women’s competition be taken?

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In a significant boost to Melbourne Victory's off-field operations, energy group AGL has renewed its commitment as a major partner of the A-League club till the end of the 2026 season.

The deal sees AGL continue as the Naming Rights and Presenting Partner for several of Victory's flagship programs, including the influential 'Victory in Business' network, the club's A-League Men's Chairman's Functions, and the pioneering Female Forum initiative.

Melbourne Victory Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, commented on her excitement for the continued support.

“The unique offers that partners like AGL bring to the table only add to the value of being part of the Melbourne Victory community, and we are excited about some of the heightened benefits AGL offer to the Victory family,” she said via press release.

AGL's General Manager, Customer Growth, Melanie Laing, has pointed out the importance of this collaboration and its plans.

“Our partnership allows us to offer Victory members and fans great energy offers and it also opens the door for us to connect with the business community through the Club’s strong network,” she said via press release.

A key benefit of the renewed partnership is the introduction of the "AGL Blue Zone," an exclusive match-day experience set to elevate the atmosphere at AAMI Park.

AGL customers will have the chance to secure 200 free tickets to six marquee A-League Men's home matches, complete with giveaways and food and beverage vouchers.

The collaboration reach extends beyond the men's game, with AGL continuing its support for the A-League Women's fixtures, underlining the company's commitment to the growth of football across all levels.

AGL is also dedicated to maintaining its popular $150 cashback offer for eligible customers joining their Melbourne Victory energy plan. This initiative helps fans offset their membership costs, while the club potentially sees a boost in its membership numbers.

This partnership is an example of how this investment not only strengthens the football club's position but also provides corporate partners with unique opportunities to engage with a passionate fan base, ultimately contributing to the growth and development of Australian football.

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Viewership for Women’s Super League (WSL) matches streamed live on YouTube has more than trebled during the 2024/25 season.

This success is no coincidence. Beyond the clear rise in quality and star power across teams for the 2024/25 season, it’s also the first time in league history that non-televised games are streamed for free on YouTube.

Last season, the main issue with viewership was accessibility, where matches not picked up by domestic broadcasters were only available on the FA Player app or website, requiring users to create an account on a platform that was already unpopular.

In the 2023/24 season, the highest viewership for an online-only WSL game was Arsenal's home fixture against Bristol City, which attracted 78,050 viewers.

However, this season has already shattered records. Over 250,000 fans tuned in on YouTube to watch Leicester face Arsenal in September, setting a new high for a WSL game not televised.

In total, the first three weeks of this season have seen a staggering 1,576,848 live views for WSL matches streamed on YouTube.

Women’s Championship matches have also benefited from the platform, with the season opener between newly promoted Newcastle and London City Lionesses setting a new record for the league, drawing 46,050 live viewers.

This spike in viewership comes at a crucial time for both the WSL and the Championship, as they are holding out for a new broadcasting rights deal set to begin after 2025. Both leagues smartly delayed signing earlier this year to avoid locking into a premature agreement.

The gamble absolutely paid off and the Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL), now in charge of the top two leagues, will be using these numbers as leverage in discussions over the next major TV rights deal which should include the BBC and Sky Sports amongst other suitors.

Streaming must remain free for A-League Women's growth 

The A-League Women's impressively saw a 114% increase in viewership on 10 Play, where every game is streamed for free, and 125% on Paramount+ for the 2023/24 season.

While a switch to YouTube seems unlikely given Channel 10's monopoly over A-League football, it’s crucial to keep every game available for free on 10 Play if they want viewership to continue rising.

As the WSL and previously the NWSL have demonstrated, offering free streamed games draws in viewers of all ages and ultimately helps turn them into paying fans. The league's primary focus should be on building an audience as quickly as possible.

Conclusion

The impressive figures from this season suggest that the demand for women’s football is only increasing.

The WSL has made a brilliant move that is sure to enhance the upcoming record-breaking broadcast rights deal, helping the league continue to improve both on and off the field.

The next step is to take it mainstream, and the Ninja A-League should look to follow the blueprint set by the WSL, which has demonstrated how to rapidly gain widespread popularity.

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Western Sydney Wanderers FC have confirmed that Herbalife will elevate their partnership with the club by becoming the front-of-shirt sponsor for the Ninja A-League Women’s team in the 2025/26 season.

Herbalife, a proud partner of the Wanderers since 2014, will continue as the club's official nutrition partner.

They will support both the men's and women's teams with nutrition products for pre-, during-, and post-match routines, as well as providing educational sessions on maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle.

For the 2024/25 season, Herbalife has increased its backing of the Wanderers Women’s team and will now be featured on the front of their home, away, and third jerseys.

Herbalife are a global health and wellness community that offers their science-backed products, wellness resources such as helpful articles and recipes, and even have a service which offers the opportunity to build a business. For over 40 years and in more than 90 countries, Herbalife have been committed to empowering and changing the lives of millions of people.

Western Sydney Wanderers CEO, Scott Hudson spoke about Herbalife’s incredible loyalty and support of the club.

“Herbalife have been proud partners of the club for the last 10 years and we are delighted that they are taking a whole of club approach to their partnership,” said Hudson in a club statement.

“Peter and his team have had a very positive impact on our club through their emphasis on nutrition and a healthy active lifestyle so we look forward to continuing to work with them.”

Peter Hurley, General Manager and Director of Herbalife Australia and New Zealand, discussed their commitment to the women's team for the upcoming season.

“Our decade-long partnership with the entire Western Sydney Wanderers club has been nothing short of phenomenal,” said Hurley in a statement.

“Seeing the Herbalife logo on the front of the Wanderers Women’s jersey not only highlights our commitment to the women’s team but reinforces our strong bond with the whole club.

“We’re proud to stand beside the Wanderers family and look forward to fuelling their success for the upcoming season!”

In January earlier this year, Herbalife extended with the Wanderers for three more years but this time with a focus on increasing their support to the club’s women’s programs. This front-of-shirt sponsorship is a major step forward in the right direction for both parties' goals.

With a strong social media presence and great young talent, the Wanderers are becoming one of the most exciting teams in the A-League Women's competition, and this deal elevates their corporate side, securing a great shirt sponsor and funds.

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The Newcastle Jets have confirmed Brydens Lawyers as their 2024/25 Major Partner and Official Legal Partner.

Brydens Lawyers will be showcased on the front of the Jets’ Men’s Home, Away, and alternate jerseys, as well as on the back of the Women’s Home, Away, and alternate jerseys during the club’s 20th anniversary season in the A-League.

A top law firm in NSW known for offering Free* Legal Advice in the communities they serve, Brydens Lawyers, have been long-time supporters of local sports in the Newcastle and Hunter region for many years.

Newcastle Jets fans and members got their first glimpse of the 2024/25 season playing kits two weeks ago, as the club revealed the Men’s and Women’s Home and Away uniforms.

Principal of Brydens Lawyers Lee Hagipantelis said via press release.

“Brydens Lawyers is thrilled to announce its partnership with the Newcastle Jets as the Major Partner, affirming its commitment to supporting sport and the community in the Newcastle and Hunter region,” he said.

“The Newcastle Jets are a cornerstone of the local sporting landscape, and this sponsorship is a natural extension of Brydens Lawyers’ mission to give back to the community and encourage engagement in sport at all levels.

“We believe that investing in local sports not only promotes healthy lifestyles but also fosters a sense of unity and pride within the community. We are excited to be part of the Newcastle Jets’ journey and to contribute to their success.

“The sponsorship will provide the Newcastle Jets with essential resources to enhance their pathway and elite programs, and the supporters of the Jets, together with the broader community, will continue to avail themselves of the expert legal advice and representation that Brydens Lawyers has provided for over 50 years.”

Newcastle Jets CEO, Shane Mattiske, said via press release.

“The Club is very excited to have the support of such a preeminent Australian business and importantly an organisation that makes a significant contribution to this region here in Newcastle,” he said.

“We appreciate Lee’s and Brydens Lawyers’ support of both our Men’s and Women’s A-League teams as we enter an exciting new era at the club.

“We call on all Novocastrians to get behind the Jets with our Men’s opening game at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday 19 October against Melbourne City and our Women’s home opener on November 3 at No. 2 Sportsground against the Wanderers.”

The Jets plan to unveil their 2024/25 alternate kit at a future date.

Brydens Lawyers will offer several Free Legal Advice Consultations at local Wests Club throughout the year.

For more information about the law firm, click here.

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Ausenco has renewed its commitment to the Brisbane Roar, signing on as Platinum Partner and front-of-shirt sponsor for the Ninja A-League team for a fourth consecutive season.

Ausenco is a global engineering, consulting and project management company that was founded in 1991 with its main headquarters in the Brisbane CBD area, close to the club. They have grown and expanded internationally, now operating 26 offices in 15 countries, with projects in over 80 locations worldwide.

In addition to backing women's football and Brisbane Roar’s Ninja A-League side, Ausenco will also support players' personal and professional growth beyond the field.

The partnership will see the company continue offering workshops focused on teamwork, leadership, and foundational business skills as part of its ongoing sponsorship.

Ausenco CEO Zimi Meka spoke on their ambition to develop women's football and create an empowering culture.

“It’s been fantastic to see the growth of women’s football globally over the last few years, particularly after the World Cup," Meka said via press release.

"We’re excited to be part of the continued development of women’s football and creating a culture where women are equally empowered to excel.

“We look forward to working with Brisbane Roar to not only help their athletes achieve their ambitions on the field but look beyond their sporting careers with personal and professional development.”

Brisbane Roar Chairman & CEO Kaz Patafta expressed his excitement at continuing the partnership with a strong, global brand like Ausenco to support the club and women’s football in Queensland.

“We’re pleased to continue our relationship with Ausenco, a brand that closely aligns with the club’s desire to grow women and girls’ participation from grassroots level through to the professional level in Queensland," Patafta said via press release.

“It’s a great time to highlight Ausenco’s support of women’s football. Not only supporting the club but the players as individuals is greatly appreciated by the club.”

This partnership is one of the longest running for Brisbane’s women’s teams, highlighting the club’s commitment to player development. The focus on off-the-pitch growth aligns with the Roar’s broader strategy, which extends to their junior and men's squads.

This deal spells great news for the women's team ahead of a landmark 2024/25 campaign.

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The Central Coast Mariners have extended their partnership with Budget Car & Truck Rental, confirming the company as the front-of-jersey sponsor for the club’s A-League Women’s team for the upcoming 2024-2025 Ninja A-League Women’s season.

This new agreement marks a record-breaking investment for the Mariners’ women’s team, underscoring Budget’s dedication to supporting women’s sport and nurturing local talent.

As part of the partnership, Budget will offer the Mariners accessible and affordable transport solutions, ensuring smooth logistics for training, matches, and community engagements.

The collaboration will also include a series of community-driven initiatives designed to enhance the matchday atmosphere and strengthen ties with fans and club members.

As a Premier partner, Budget’s branding will feature prominently on the team’s jerseys, reflecting their commitment to providing a platform for female athletes and helping to inspire future generations of players.

Alyssar Narey, CEO of Central Coast Mariners, spoke about the club's enthusiasm for the partnership.

“We are thrilled to welcome Budget Australia as our front of jersey partner for the A-League Women team. Their substantial investment reflects a shared commitment to the growth of women’s football and the development of our talented athletes. Together, we will inspire and engage our community while striving for success on and off the field," Narey said in a club statement.

"We are proud to continue the partnership with Budget, established in 2023, and look forward to  working together for the growth and success of both our women’s and men’s team.

"Thank you, Budget, for your support and belief in our mission to promote football on the coast. Together, we aim to inspire the next generation of athletes.”

Budget released a statement expressing their excitement about signing on with the East Coast club.

“Budget is excited to continue our partnership with the Central Coast Mariners for a second year, reaffirming our commitment to women’s football and community spirit," the company said in a statement.

"With two locations on the Central Coast, we proudly support a local club that shares our values of innovation and engagement. We look forward to contributing to the Mariners’ success on and off the field.”

Fans can expect exciting promotions and campaigns as Budget Car & Truck Rental and the Central Coast Mariners continue to build momentum both on and off the field.

To celebrate the partnership, Mariners fans can access exclusive friends and family discounts on commercial rentals.

This is a great deal for the Mariners women's team, securing one of their big shirt sponsors ahead of a landmark season in the Ninja A-League Women's competition which is expected to break attendance and viewership records again.

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Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) have confirmed Matildas star Mary Fowler and New Zealand goalkeeper Alex Paulsen have been named the 2024 Austraffic PFA Young Footballers of the Year, as voted by their peers.

The pair were recognised by PFA members as standout performers from a competitive shortlist that included Kyra Cooney-Cross, Charlotte Grant, Kaitlyn Torpey, Nestory Irankunda, Jordan Bos, and Alessandro Circati.

This marks Fowler’s second time winning the award, while Paulsen becomes the third New Zealand international to claim the honour, following Marco Rojas and Liberato Cacace.

The award recognises the performances of players in the A-Leagues and Australian players abroad between June 2023 and June 2024, for those under 23 at the time.

Austraffic PFA Young Women’s Footballer of the Year: Mary Fowler

Fowler had an impressive season in the English Women’s Super League, scoring four goals and providing six assists as she helped Manchester City to a second-place finish, just behind champions Chelsea on goal difference.

Internationally, the 21-year-old shone for the Matildas, playing in six of their seven matches at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and playing a key role in the lead-up to the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she scored four goals in five Olympic qualifying matches.

Having previously won the award in 2022, Fowler joins Alex Chidiac (2017, 2018) and Ellie Carpenter (2020, 2021) as a two-time winner of the PFA Young Women’s Footballer of the Year.

Mary Fowler spoke on the award win and how much it means for her to be recognised by the PFA.

“It means a lot to me,” Fowler said.

“I think it’s one of the best awards I can receive because getting something from the players I play alongside, and play against, it means a lot to me to see that they think I’m doing well and give me that kind of recognition. I just feel super grateful for that.”

Austraffic PFA Young Men’s Footballer of the Year (PFA Harry Kewell Medal): Alex Paulsen

Alex Paulsen has been awarded the prestigious PFA Harry Kewell Medal following an impressive breakout season with Wellington Phoenix in the A-League Men.

The 22-year-old cemented his position as Wellington’s first-choice goalkeeper during the 2023-24 pre-season and went on to play a key role in helping Giancarlo Italiano's team secure a spot in the finals with a series of outstanding performances between the posts.

Paulsen’s stellar form earned him multiple accolades, including A-League Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year and the Fan Player of the Year award. He also shared the A-League Men’s Young Footballer of the Year title with Nestory Irankunda.

His impact throughout the season saw him selected for the 2023-24 PFA A-League Men Team of the Season, where he was named captain after receiving the highest number of votes from his peers.

Alex Paulsen spoke highly on his award win.

“I’m proud to receive such a prestigious award,” Paulsen said.

“Only two Kiwis have won this award (previously) so to be up in that bracket is amazing and I’m really proud of receiving such an accolade.

“It means more to be voted by my peers and my teammates. I feel very honoured to receive this award. Twelve months ago, I wasn’t really – with regards to Wellington Phoenix – in the picture to be considered the No.1, and to be given an opportunity by ‘Chiefy’ (Italiano) to be involved with the Wellington Phoenix and to be the No.1 was fantastic.”

At the conclusion of the terrific 2023/24 campaign, Paulsen signed with English Premier League club Bournemouth but returned to the A-League Men on loan to join new expansion team Auckland FC, the city where he was born and raised.

Paulsen becomes the third New Zealand player to win the Young Men’s Footballer of the Year, following Marco Rojas (2013) and Liberato Cacace (2020). He is also the third goalkeeper to receive the honour, joining Socceroos Mat Ryan (2012, 2014, 2015) and Mitch Langerak (2010).

Austraffic have been the sponsor for the PFA's Footballer of the Year Awards since 2009 and the traffic engineering and information technology specialists have been in business since 1983 undertaking thousands of traffic, transport and pedestrian studies in all states and territories of Australia and New Zealand.

The PFA will confirm the 2024 Austraffic Men’s and Women’s Footballers of the Year next week.

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Capital Property Group and Canberra United have confirmed their official partnership for the 2024/25 Ninja A-League season.

As a key partner, Capital Property Group will display the Canberra Airport logo on the team's jersey sleeve, highlighting its ongoing dedication to supporting local sports and the Canberra community.

Capital Property Group (CPG) is a prominent property development and investment company based in Canberra, Australia.

It is known for significant projects, particularly in the Canberra region, with a focus on commercial, residential, and infrastructure developments. One of its most well-known assets is Canberra Airport, which CPG owns and manages.

The company plays an active role in supporting local initiatives, including sports partnerships and community development, as part of its commitment to the Canberra area.

Canberra Airport CEO Stephen Byron shared the airport's enthusiasm for backing more local talent and businesses.

“Canberra Airport is excited to announce a new sponsorship partnership with Canberra United Women’s football team,” Byron said. “This collaboration strengthens our ongoing commitment to supporting homegrown, elite sporting teams in the Canberra region, joining our existing partnerships with the Canberra Raiders and the ACT Brumbies,” she said via press release.

“As a business built on the shared values of quality and excellence, we are proud to support local talent and help establish Canberra’s reputation on the world stage.

“Our partnership with Canberra United highlights our unwavering dedication to the Canberra community. Built on shared values of quality and excellence, this collaboration is another step in our long-term commitment to supporting local sports.”

Canberra United CEO, Samantha Farrow, added further comments regarding the collaboration.

“Canberra United are thrilled that we have been able to come to an agreement with Canberra Airport to be a partner for the 2024/25 Ninja A-League season,” she said via press release.

“Through this partnership, supporters will see the Canberra Airport logo prominently displayed on our left sleeve and all our travel bags.

“Both Canberra United and Canberra Airport are iconic parts of the ACT, and with the team often departing for away matches via the airport, it makes perfect commercial sense for us to have this arrangement in place.

“I would like to thank the team at Canberra Airport for supporting the club for the new season and look forward to our collaboration.”

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The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) and Sky Sport have continued their partnership for another 3 years, giving Sky Sport exclusive coverage of A-league games in New Zealand.

Therefore, all matches in the Isuzu UTE A-League and Ninja women’s A-League from the 2024-25 season will be accessible on Sky Sports and streaming on Sky Sport Now and Sky Go.

With a second New Zealand club, Auckland FC, in the A-League, there is now an Aotearoa-based professional derby, this exciting new dynamic could help increase football's fan bases and viewership in New Zealand.

All matches involving the two New Zealand clubs will be broadcast live and one match a week will be free to air on Sky Open.

CEO of Sky, Sophie Maloney, commented on how the growing interest and new team have helped fuel the media groups’ continued platform of the A-League.

“Last year’s season was a breakout success for fan engagement with the A-Leagues in New Zealand, with the success of the Wellington Phoenix capturing the hearts and minds of Kiwi fans. Added to that, the excitement surrounding the addition to the leagues of a new team from Aotearoa in Auckland FC has made the upcoming season guaranteed to be appointment-watching," she said via press release.

“We’re pleased that we will continue to be the broadcast home to a passionate and growing sporting code, spearheaded here in Aotearoa by a couple of energised and ambitious local clubs. We’re excited to see what we can achieve together in terms of innovation around commercial partnerships as part of our home games production, alongside our broadcast coverage of every single minute of action."

A-Leagues Commissioner, Nick Garcia, added further comments on the extension.

"New Zealand is really important for our continued growth, and it’s set to be a landmark year for New Zealand football following Wellington Phoenix’s standout season and the introduction of a new team, Auckland FC, into the Isuzu UTE A-League Men," he said via press release.

Football is the most participated code in Aotearoa, a nation with strong sporting calibre, one cannot look past the success of the All Blacks in Rugby Union to see this. Yet even in this diluted sport environment football's popularity is growing and so to is its support at the professional level involving the A-League and the extensive international footballing scene.

With more games for New Zealand teams and renewed interest in the sport, this could be a prosperous deal for both parties and support fan viewership.

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Adelaide United and Gameready Performance confirm the continuation of their partnership for the A-League Women’s 2024/25 season.

The collaboration, which started during the 2022/23 A-League Women's season, will be a great environment and chance for the team to build on what was a poor campaign in 23/24, finishing last on 15 points.

Through this collaboration, Adelaide United’s A-League Women’s team will have access to top-tier strength and conditioning facilities, featuring cutting-edge equipment and advanced recovery tools throughout the season.

Gameready Performance is a high quality gym facility located in Thebarton, South Australia and was started by founder Daniel Chudleigh who had worked in the professional sports environment for almost a decade.

Gameready Performance is dedicated to fostering a high-performance culture and providing professional services aimed at helping athletes unlock their full potential.

The Adelaide-based company proudly serves a variety of local professional teams, including the Port Adelaide Football Club, the Adelaide 36ers, and the Adelaide Thunderbirds, who regularly utilise the facility to enhance their performance.

The gym’s mission is to create an elite-level environment typically reserved for professional athletes and make it accessible to the Adelaide community. Any members striving for personal excellence are welcome to use the gym at any time.

Adelaide United said they are proud to partner with another strong South Australian business, further strengthening ties within the local community.

This partnership is a significant boost for Adelaide United both on and off the field, providing the team with access to elite training and recovery resources.

It offers a strong foundation to improve after a challenging season, creating a high-performance culture that aligns with the club’s commitment to success and player development.

The club are known for developing incredible talent through its academy and achieving that goal on top of the myriad of exciting international signings made this preseason, it gives the Reds some much needed optimism before the Ninja A-League Women’s competition kicks off in November.

Additionally, the club has expanded its corporate portfolio by securing another local sponsor, aligning with one of the key objectives outlined during the August 2024 members' forum. The forum emphasised the importance of strengthening the women’s team, and this partnership marks a promising first step toward achieving that goal.

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The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) has named JAM TV and EMG/Gravity Media as the new production partners for the A-Leagues.

Under the appointment, both companies will produce all Ninja A-League Women and Isuzu UTE A-League Men matches for the next two seasons, airing on Network Ten and Paramount+.

The new collaboration provides the APL, its clubs, and fans with high-quality match production, increased resources for the Ninja A-League Women, and more content for APL and club platforms.

Previously partnered with the APL, JAM TV is one of Australia’s leading live sports producers, handling over 300 live broadcasts annually for the NBL, AFLW, State Leagues AFL, and golf.

EMG/Gravity Media returns to Australian football after serving as the A-Leagues' broadcast provider from 2010 to 2016.

Recently, they supported UEFA by providing advanced workflows for the UEFA European Football Championships in Germany and also handle football production for the EPL, FA Cup, and FIFA.

JAM TV and EMG/Gravity Media also collaborated to deliver the successful Host Broadcast for the AFC Asian Cup when the tournament was held in Australia in 2015. Their joint efforts helped showcase the event to a global audience, contributing to its overall success and setting a high standard for sports broadcasting in the region.

A-Leagues Commissioner, Nick Garcia, commented the excitement of the appointment via press release.

“We are excited to be partnering with JAM TV and EMG/Gravity Media for the next two seasons, to deliver a premium broadcast of our game, and increase the amount of A-Leagues’ content for our fans,” he said.

“This is a highly credentialed combination between one of Australia’s most proven creative sports production enterprises in JAM TV and the global football powerhouse of EMG/Gravity Media.

“Along with the production of over 320 A-Leagues’ games through the seasons, this partnership also gives the league and our clubs more content to engage fans and showcase the great stories of our game.”

JAM TV CEO, Cos Cardone, added further insight by ensuring fans access to more content via press release.

“Our involvement with the APL over the last two seasons gave us great insight into the amazing stories that exist in both men’s and women’s football. This partnership is not only about great match production, but ensuring fans have access to more content than they have had before.”

EMG/Gravity Media Executive Chairman, John Newton, expanded on the topic with further comments.

“At the heart of EMG/Gravity Media is a DNA of delivering high-end content and live production across the full spectrum of world football,” he said via press release.

“We have worked with some of the biggest names in football for decades and are very excited to be providing new broadcast production services to the A-Leagues once again.”

The Isuzu UTE A-League Men will celebrate its 20th anniversary season starting October 18, while the Ninja A-League Women will begin their 2024/25 season on November 1.

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Macarthur FC has confirmed the extension of its partnership with global sportswear brand Kelme as the club's official apparel partner for the next three seasons.

Kelme, which first joined forces with the Bulls in 2022, will continue to supply and manufacture the club's home and away kits, as well as training apparel for both players and staff.

This extended collaboration aligns with Macarthur FC's retail strategy, offering fans and members fresh and exciting retail options. Kelme will provide a wide selection of products, including team wear, apparel, and accessories.

Kelme, a global sports apparel brand with over 60 years of experience, partners with several La Liga First and Second Division clubs and has recently supplied gear to a Premier League team, Russian Super League clubs, and other top-tier sports organisations worldwide.

Following the confirmation of the extended partnership, Macarthur FC revealed their highly anticipated 2024/25 A-League home kit just 24 hours later. This season’s kit design highlights a bold symbol of the club’s spirit: lightning.

The kit, crafted by Kelme, features ochre accents and a 3D club badge. It also pays homage to the Bulls' history, with the date of their inaugural match printed inside the collar.

Additionally, the kit launch marks the continuation of the club's partnership with Kelme as well as the start of the deal with SipEnergy, whose logo will appear on the front of the new jersey as the major sponsor for the season.

Chris Bath, CEO of Kelme Australia, expressed his excitement about the ongoing collaboration.

“We’re delighted to continue our partnership with Macarthur FC and look forward to supporting the Bulls both on and off the pitch. We can’t wait to see them run out this season in the new Kelme kit,” Bath said in a statement.

Macarthur FC Group CEO Sam Krslovic also shared his enthusiasm for the partnership.

“Kelme is a leading sports apparel brand known worldwide for partnering with top leagues and clubs, a true reflection of their quality and attention to detail. It’s important to our club to offer our players, staff, members, and fans a wide range of high-quality merchandise, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with this global brand,” Krslovic said in a club statement.

This is a great extension for Macarthur to secure, with Kelme's kits being quite unique by design and of high quality that many fans love. The 2024/25 home kit is a great design by the company who like to link back to the clubs values and history.

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SharkNinja has been confirmed as the new multi-season naming rights partner for the Women’s A league, which will be called the Ninja A-league.

SharkNinja is a tech and design company that works on a global scale, they have produced famous household products including the Ninja blenders and Shark cordless vacuum ranges.

It will also, in conjunction with the Ninja A-league, become a major new partner of the Isuzu UTE A-League.

The A-league commissioner Nick Garcia has welcomed the added investment the partnership will have.

“SharkNinja joins the A-Leagues with aligned ambitions; to grow women’s football in Australia and New Zealand, increase the opportunities and pathways for players, and help make the game more visible and accessible for our fans. We can’t wait to see where we take the Ninja A-League Women,” Nick explained in an A-league media release.

One of the future initiatives the partnership has confirmed is a new junior pass for under 16s that will give free entry for the first few rounds of the Ninja A-league to increase stadium-going fans and the family-friendly environment of the games.

This strategy has worked in the A-league before and with the huge numbers of young girls going to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Women's A-league. This could be a necessary boost to increase the passionate youthful support that’s been crucial to the growth of Australian female football.

Furthermore, the agreement outlines media developments that will inject interest in the league including the continuation of the Dub Zone newspaper that details the weekly action of the league and in collaboration with the APL and Network Ten plan to increase the number of free-to-air games on 10 Bold for the 2024-25 season.

The number of games will increase from one to ten in a move to hopefully increase the Ninja A-league's viewership online.

Judy Darling, the VP Commercial of SharkNinja advocates for the company’s excitement at the new partnership.

“Our mission is to positively impact people’s lives every day in every home around the world. This is exactly what our incredible Australian and Kiwi female footballers do – having become such powerful role models for the young and old alike,” Judy explained in an A-league statement.

The A-league's need for investment means this is a welcomed announcement and could produce more cash flow for the A-league to continue developing Australian football both at the top level and down through the youth leagues.

Only time will tell if this partnership can deliver on its promises, for stakeholders and fans, however, this can be viewed as a step in the right direction.

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Melbourne City's charity, City in the Community (CITC), has donated new football goals to Barton Primary School in Cranbourne West as part of the club's Healthy Goals initiative.

The program encourages more young people to play football to promote physical health and gain important social, emotional and cognitive skills that will help their overall development and well-being.

There are three core initiatives that the CITC are focusing on this year:

• Supporting local schools with facility improvements to ensure more young people can access our free football programming from CITC.
• Supporting community groups and clubs with equipment upgrades and free football programming from CITC.
• Working with local artists to commemorate art and football projects, celebrating community pride, and cultural heritage while creating a visually appealing environment for the local community.

This most recent contribution towards Barton Primary School aligns with the first core initiative to support local schools, with Melbourne City players Laura Hughes and Alessandro Lopane attending to talk to the kids.

For the past three years, CITC has been involved with the Cranbourne West Primary School taking part in initiatives such as walking football, inviting students to become player mascots as well as player visits.

CITC's Community Program Lead, Stephen Frantzeskakis talked about their recent contribution and how the club are continuing to create a positive impact on the community.

“I think it’s fantastic that we’re able to continue supporting Barton Primary School and its students through the Healthy Goals initiative, especially given their strong interest and ongoing passion for football," he said in a media release on the club's website," he said via club release statement.

“We’ve been working with Barton Primary School for a number of years now and have also recently run our respectful relationships program with Grade 5 and 6 students.

“To have strong role models like Ale and Laura come down to speak to students about topics like respect and resilience is terrific, and it’s great to be able to extend our partnership through the donation of new goals as well.”

Barton Primary School Principal, Benjamin Vevers talked about the school's partnership with Melbourne City and how it's helping its students.

“Given many of our students were born or have parents and families from other countries, the school is truly passionate about the world game and having new goals means our kids get to fully experience a quality soccer match every recess and lunch," he said via press release.

“It was a memorable experience that may inspire some of our students to reach for the stars with football, maybe even the Brisbane Olympics!

“Our students are learning to be more respectful of each other during competitive sport, girls are becoming more active during breaks playing soccer, and students are super excited each week for the program.”

It's important to have these types of initiatives to allow clubs and their players to connect with their local community. We've seen these gestures throughout the years from the A-League clubs by continuing to show their commitment to support their local community whether that's giving back through donations or providing programs to steer young people in the right direction.

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The Saudi Pro League (SPL) has confirmed a new partnership with TikTok for the 2024/25 season, designating the short video platform as its official digital partner.

This collaboration aims to enhance digital engagement for football enthusiasts both regionally and internationally.

As part of the agreement, TikTok will unveil a dedicated ‘SPL Exclusive Hub,’ offering fans access to a wealth of content from the league’s clubs and partners.

This exclusive content will feature behind-the-scenes footage, in-depth player interviews, and other unique insights into the SPL.

Additionally, TikTok will provide its creators with special opportunities to engage with the league.

This includes access to training sessions, matchday experiences, and interactions with players, allowing for a richer and more immersive fan experience.

The SPL is determined to solidify its position as one of soccer’s premier domestic leagues. While high-profile signings like Cristiano Ronaldo have captured headlines, the TikTok partnership is set to amplify the league’s global visibility.

TikTok’s involvement in football is extensive, with previous partnerships including UEFAfor  Euro 2024 and Women’s Euro 2022, Major League Soccer (MLS), and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The platform is also deeply embedded in other sports, including the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and UFC, and recently extended its multi-year partnership with the National Football League (NFL) to include long-form content.

Saudi Arabia ahead of the game again

Saudi Arabia is leading the way in sports marketing by leveraging apps like TikTok.

Their strategic use of these platforms enhances global visibility and engagement for the Saudi Pro League, showcasing a commitment to innovative digital strategies that connect with a broad, international audience and elevate their brand on a global stage.

It is clear that the SPL's ambition is to be 'bigger than the top European Leagues' per a statement from newly appointed CEO Omar Mugharbel.

Mugharbel mentioned enhancing the product after recent signings Ivan Toney and Joao Cancelo capped off a relatively quiet summer window for the league and hinted at 'advancing the league's brand off the pitch with new deals (TikTok) to create a more attractive proposition for star players and fans abroad.'

Everything the SPL do is for attention and they are close to designing a social media juggernaut that is ready to shake the traditional European football landscape, even if some may find it incredibly unpopular. It is certainly working.

How a deal like this would benefit Australian football

Capitalising on the fantastic viewership and engagement from the younger generation is the key to success for the A-Leagues' future.

According to YouGov Sport in 2023, between the ages of 18-34, the A-League is the second most engaged league in the country, sitting only behind the AFL.

The data showed that 15% of Australian sports fans aged 18-34 regularly streamed the A-League Men whilst 19% of the demographic follow the league on its respective social media channels.

Improving the content on these channels, which is certainly required, has been on the mind of the league for a while and KEEPUP's failure gives them a blueprint on what not to do this time around.

A deal with TikTok would almost certainly benefit all stakeholders given the league's lack of engaging, behind-the-scenes content and lacklustre highlight reels leaving many dissatisfied at the overall product.

Now with international marquee signings like Juan Mata and Douglas Costa, the A-Leagues can try and attempt to do what Saudi Arabia do, albeit on a much smaller scale, in terms of leveraging these big names to draw bigger crowds and engagement on social media.

The ability to nail short, bite-sized content is almost essential with the increasingly shorter attention spans and hunt for easily digestible videos that don't require too much brain power.

In 2024, the A-Leagues must improve in this area and ensure they don't fall behind the 8 ball again with this sport getting back on its feet.

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WSC Sports is an AI-powered content product that creates more personalised content, formats, and viewing channels for sports leagues, broadcasters, clubs and organisations.

Recently, WSC Sports has pledged to revolutionise the creation of sports content to speed up the production of traditional highlight reels.

The goal for any clients dealing with WSC, and there are over 450 sporting organisations from all over the globe, is to help rightsholders create more dynamic and fan-focused content while enabling them to better monetise their rights.

As outlined on the main website, there are five key pieces to the WSC Sports puzzle that make it such a successful and effective product, and these include:

AI-Based Content Analysis

AI-driven algorithms are revolutionising the analysis, indexing, and rating of sports events across a wide range of disciplines.

These context-aware systems are designed to capture pivotal moments both on and off the field, providing deeper insights into the game.

By enriching live broadcasts, archived footage, press conferences, and media libraries with detailed metadata, organizations can ensure that content is optimized for immediate retrieval and usage.

Automated Content Creation

The demand for diverse viewing experiences has led to the need for automated content generation.

AI solutions are capable of producing relevant and engaging content tailored to a variety of formats, from live and on-demand streams to Connected TV (CTV) and vertical formats optimized for mobile applications.

Content Studio

The evolution of sports content creation is being accelerated by AI-powered editing tools specifically designed for the industry.

These solutions offer users advanced creative control, enabling faster and more efficient production workflows while maintaining high-quality output.

AI-Powered Asset Management

Content management systems enhanced by AI are enabling seamless organisation, discovery, and distribution of assets.

These systems not only optimise workflow processes but also help organisations make better use of their entire content libraries, unlocking new possibilities for repurposing indexed assets into innovative formats.

Driving Fan Engagement

Proprietary AI solutions are playing a pivotal role in enhancing fan engagement.

By delivering personalised, immersive content experiences tailored to individual preferences, sporting leagues and clubs can connect with their audiences across a wide range of platforms and viewing formats, ensuring a more dynamic and interactive experience.

LALIGA in particular have focused entirely on capturing the younger audience through platforms like Instagram and TikTok, utilising algorithm-based content to reach more people and appear more relatable to that target audience.

How it can be introduced in Australian football

There can be no arguments about the A-Leagues lack of creativity and the same could be said for posts regarding the Socceroos.

The power of social and digital media in the eye of the average, young consumer is vital as seen by the Matildas team who are just as popular for their random off-field antics as they are for their 4th placed WC finish.

A digital media overhaul in Australia is clearly on the radar, first attempted by KEEPUP which in Jose Mourinho's words; most would prefer not to speak about.

WSC Sports already works with Cricket Australia on producing entertaining content and football is this country's sleeping giant.

There is a lot of potential in this AI-generated product which can start targeting younger audiences and producing media content the sport has not seen locally especially if it wishes to grow to enormous heights.

Conclusion

WSC Sports have become increasingly prominent in the football industry, taking over the digital media strategies of many top leagues including La Liga, NWSL, Bundesliga and the Serie A.

On top of that, they have partnered recently with smaller leagues and clubs with clubs like BSC Young Boys and the Czech First division who will become a part of a 450-strong client roster who employ WSC Sports’ award-winning AI-powered technology.

The company's biggest clients include NBA, YouTube TV and ESPN with the mega success clearly indicating the future lies within AI-powered digital marketing and content creation.

To find out more about WSC Sports click here.

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Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) has confirmed this year's recipients of its annual scholarships, rewarding members for outstanding professional and personal development.

The scholarships are named after previous Football Victoria president Kimon Taliadoros and former Socceroo Craig Foster, honouring players developing in areas such as education, business, media, advocacy and community impact.

Each recipient receives $2,500 towards their development.

The PFA Kimon Taliadoros Scholarships are awarded to two players each year who demonstrate excellence in education or business.

The scholarships celebrate the drive and dedication of players who are committed to their professional development.

Wellington Phoenix's Annalie Longo received the award for pursuing her coaching credentials through the Oceania Football Confederation A Licence, while also diving into the football media scene as a commentator with Sky Sport.

The New Zealand international is also the creator of the Fantails junior programme in her home country.

This initiative aims to engage young girls in football as part of New Zealand Football’s legacy plan for hosting the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Western Sydney Wanderer's defender Gabriel Cleur also received the PFA Kimon Taliadoros scholarship, for his personal development. He is studying a Bachelor of Psychological Science and has completed a Diploma of Counselling.

Cleur has also done work regarding mental health and well-being, serving as a well-being officer and mental coach at Blacktown Spartans, supporting the NPL2 boys team.

The PFA Craig Foster Scholarships acknowledges the important role footballers play in shaping their communities and society and is selected by the PFA Executive.

Adelaide United's Chelsie Dawber is one of the recipients of the scholarship where she has made a significant impact in her community via the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and recently launched her own business to support underprivileged communities in South Australia.

Brisbane Roar's Chelsea Blissett is the second recipient of the PFA Craig Foster scholarship through her work in spreading awareness regarding eating disorders.

The former Melbourne City player is currently studying a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics, aiming to raise awareness and provide education for community football clubs, furthering her impact on public health.

Rita Mankowska, the PFA's Head of Player Development, congratulated the players and acknowledged their professional and personal development:

“Personal development is at the heart of what we do at the PFA, and these scholarships reflect our commitment to supporting players’ lives on and off the pitch," she said in a media release.

“Each of the recipients this year are not only developing themselves but are ensuring their journey of self-development is also impacting others.

"Whether that is through initiatives in grassroots football or the broader community, these players demonstrate the importance of holistic career development.”

The PFA also released its annual Player Development Report highlighting record investments in mental health support and education funding for PFA members.

In the past 12 months, the organisation also facilitated coaching courses, health checks, and expanded support for past players.

The program continues to promote a player-centric approach within the professional football industry.

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Brisbane Roar have collaborated a new partnership with Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ), who will join the club as a Platinum Partner for the 2024/25 season.

CSQ, dedicated to training and developing the Queensland building and construction industry, is focused on inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in construction.

By partnering with Brisbane Roar, CSQ aims to engage with passionate young football fans and introduce them to the exciting opportunities within the construction industry.

This collaboration will be highlighted through CSQ’s sponsorship of the half-time heroes activation at both A-League Men’s and A-League Women’s matches.

Brisbane Roar CEO and Chairman, Kaz Patafta expressed his excitement for the future with this partnership.

“Brisbane Roar are delighted to welcome Construction Skills Queensland on board for the upcoming season as an official Platinum Partner," Patafta said in a club statement.

"We’re very thankful to the CSQ team for supporting our club and look forward to growing this partnership over the next year.”

CSQ CEO Geoff Clare emphasised the importance of the partnership in extending the reach of their Construction Pathways campaign, which has primarily targeted high school students.

“We have been busy spreading the word about careers in construction through programs and campaigns targeting high schoolers and their teachers and families,” Clare said in a statement.

“It is exciting for us to broaden the reach of Construction Pathways messaging to include the younger fan base and young families through Brisbane Roar.

“We see great synergies between the dynamic energy of the game and the unparalleled opportunities to progress in a successful construction career.

“There has been a real shift in how construction is viewed by the community, with more smart young people choosing construction as their first choice after school.

“Conversations and opinions about future careers are happening from an early age and we are excited to be able to spark some new thinking about construction in young Roar fans.”

Brisbane Roar are always one of the busiest clubs in the A-Leagues in regards to their business dealings and they have expanded their corporate portfolio yet again.

This partnerships also provides a unique opportunity to engage their younger fanbase, offering them valuable insights into the construction industry while leveraging CSQ's extensive national reach.

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Wellington Phoenix have confirmed Entelar Group has joined the club as one of its principal partners for the upcoming season.

As 'New Zealand’s total connection company,' Entelar Group will be featured alongside OPPO as the Phoenix’s front-of-shirt partners for the 2024-25 A-Leagues.

OPPO, the global smart device brand, has renewed its commitment for a fourth season as a principal partner and will be prominently displayed on the men’s home and women’s away shirts this season. Entelar Group will take the spotlight on the women’s home and men’s away jerseys.

Additionally, Entelar Group has pledged its support to the club’s award-winning Football For All programme, which helps eliminate barriers for thousands of Tamariki and Rangatahi to participate in futsal or football in Aotearoa.

Phoenix general manager David Dome mentioned the great support of OPPO over the last three seasons and his enthusiasm for the new partnership.

“We’re delighted to have Entelar Group join OPPO as our principal partners for the upcoming A-League season,” Phoenix general manager David Dome said in a club statement.

“It’s an exciting time to be involved in football and Entelar Group is an exciting New Zealand company that are ambitious, like us.

“By getting behind our Football For All programme New Zealand’s total connection company is not only giving back to the game but connecting communities.

“OPPO New Zealand has been one of our biggest supporters for the past three years and our national fan base has played a part in making it the respected and loved brand it is in Aotearoa today.

“We’ve enjoyed working with the OPPO New Zealand team and look forward to taking our partnership with them to a new level this season.”

Entelar Group CEO Rajesh Singh shared his excitement about joining the Wellington Phoenix whānau.

“The timing couldn’t be better with the increasing popularity of football in Aotearoa,” Singh said in a statement.

“So many of our people all over the country, as well as our customers, suppliers, and partners are all big fans of the Phoenix, making this relationship even more special to show our commitment to building connections with New Zealand businesses and the wider community.”

OPPO New Zealand managing director Morgan Halim spoke about the fantastic connection they have created with the Wellington Phoenix.

“This partnership has been a game-changer for OPPO in New Zealand, allowing us to connect with fans nationwide,” Halim said in a statement.

“We’re excited to welcome Entelar Group on board and look forward to making this season the most memorable one yet for our supporters.”

The OPPO logo has been iconic on the Phoenix shirt over the past few seasons and the club have done fantastically to grow their business portfolio with another big New Zealand company in Entelar Group.

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Central Coast Mariners have introduced the Onside With the Mariners program, to address gendered violence found in the Central Coast region and to promote respectful relationships among secondary school students.

The initiative is backed by a $1 million grant from the Office of Sport, in a pre-election promise by Labor.

The Central Coast has been ranked as one of the highest regions for domestic and family violence incidents. To counter this, Onside With the Mariners acts as a primary prevention initiative, using football to kick-start discussions about healthy relationships, respect, and conflict resolution.

Speaking at the launch, Premier Chris Minns highlighted the importance in addressing domestic violence:

“As a Government, we are committed to addressing the devastating impact of domestic and family violence across the state, but we know we can’t do it alone,” he said via media release.

“Programs like this make a real difference in young people’s lives and in the community as a whole. I’m grateful to the Mariners for stepping up and taking on this leadership role for young people in the community, as we work to create a safer New South Wales.”

Central Coast Mariners Sporting Director Matt Simon highlighted the club’s deep commitment to the community:

“Onside With the Mariners is more than just a football clinic; it’s a commitment to our community. As a club, we’ve always believed in the power of football to bring about positive change. This initiative allows us to use football to address serious social issues and help shape a healthy future for youth in our community.”

With Central Coast Mariners playing a crucial role for the region, Onside With the Mariners is a key step to restoring off-field wellbeing.

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Western United has recently added BrandScent to their list of partners signing a three-year deal to help create a signature scent at their home ground, Ironbark Fields.

Based out in Truganina in Melbourne’s west, the multi-award-winning scent marketing agency, run by Suji and Jeeva Sanjeevan, made their name through the TV show Shark Tank in 2023.

BrandScent are now breaking into the Australian sporting landscape and are hoping to collaborate with other sporting organisations as well.

Leading and coordinating these partnerships is Nathan Perrone, Western United’s Commercial Partnership Executive, who has been at the club since February 2022.

Perrone describes how BrandScent initially got onto the club’s radar regarding a potential partnership.

“A lot of credit goes to my former boss Chris Speldewinde (who formerly worked in the GM commercial role at Western United),” he said to Soccerscene.

“He started these conversations with Jeeva and Suji at the backend of last year and became connected through the local community.

Despite being a relatively small business, BrandScent has already worked with a range of companies in Australia and internationally.

With this collaboration, Western United got the opportunity to talk and potentially expand their list of partners. Alongside BrandScent, they were able to add a partner who was local to the area.

“They provided us with contacts and new clients that we could talk to,” Perrone said.

“They have worked with massive companies not just in Australia but globally, such as American Express and Arnott’s.

“For them too, it was important to support local and break into the sporting space and do a proper partnership.”

Ever since their inception, Western United have shown their strong support towards Melbourne’s western suburbs throughout the years.

The club are partners with the Wyndham City Council, Victoria University and Werribee & Western Automotive Group to name a few and are all located out west.

“We’re really emphasising the chance to connect with fans and businesses in the region, to help the whole Wyndham City Council and those in it to provide better opportunities,” Perrone said.

It has taken some time for Western United to cement their place in the west, having to wait for Ironbark Fields in Tarneit to be completed.

For both the men’s and women’s teams, they have had to play their home games elsewhere - such as AAMI Park, City Vista Recreation Reserve and North Hobart Oval.

“For us as a club, it’s been challenging when we haven’t been in the region we had hoped to be from year one,” Perrone said.

However, Western United have finally established Ironbark Fields as their home and for local businesses such as BrandScent, it will make it easier and more accessible for them to collaborate with projects such as creating the club’s signature scent for the upcoming season.

“It’s a three-phase project,” Perrone added.

“Phase one was introducing to some staff and players how it works.

“Everyone was smelling scents and trying to get an understanding of what smells represent the club and the first phase is essentially done.

“They’re now working on some things based on everyone’s feedback and they’ll come back to us to refine it again.

“They’ll do some more research, and we’ll go into the final stage and start to roll it out.”

In addition, both Western United and BrandScent are aiming to connect with the local clubs in the west through their partnership.

“We are looking to do more opportunities with players and even local clubs to create a workshop where you can create your own fragrance,” Perrone said.

With the support and resources from BrandScent, Western United are hoping to leave a lasting impression to those who come down to Ironbark Fields.

“For a new client commercially or a new player or staff member you want to make it very welcoming,” Perrone said.

“With the scent created by BrandScent, it will help leave a good impression and hopefully create a positive reaction.”

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Western United has collaborated with Walking Football 4 Health Global and Balestier Khalsa Football Club in Singapore, aiming to spread the love of football across the globe.

This marks Western United’s first venture into the realm of walking football, a rapidly growing sector of the sport that is inclusive of all participants.

As part of this partnership, Western United will participate in a tournament at the Walking Football 4 Health Global headquarters in Singapore, furthering the Club's commitment to making football accessible to everyone around the world.

Western United General Manager of Community Development & Partnerships Aylin Bagdadi explained how beneficial this deal will be with connecting the club's brand to an international audience.

“This is an incredibly exciting opportunity to grow the Western United brand and we are grateful for the support and enthusiasm of Walking Football 4 Health and Balestier Khalsa Football Club,” Bagdadi said in a club statement.

“More importantly, a key part of our mission at this Club has always been to increase opportunities for everyone to become involved in football, and this is a fantastic step in continuing to pursue that vision.

“Walking football is such a great way to get involved in our great game, and we are excited to link further with local and global organisations in this space.”

What is Walking Football?

Walking football is particularly well-suited for individuals recovering from illness or medical events, retired players, or those new to the sport.

This low-intensity format features small-sided teams playing on a modified pitch with shorter game times, blending all the enjoyable aspects of football without the high physical demands.

Running, physical contact, and heading the ball are prohibited, and the ball must remain below hip-height throughout the game.

After the recent Teqball partnership, this unique collaboration is an example of Western United remaining committed to promoting awareness and participation in all forms of football worldwide.

It also highlights Western United's business strategy before the new season, where the club seems dedicated to broadening its own brand and reach both locally and internationally.

This deal will look to expand opportunities to get involved in football within the local community in the west of Victoria.

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Western United Football Club and Tapedesign Australia have renewed their partnership for a fourth consecutive season.

Tapedesign has played a key role in boosting the performance of the club's A-League Men and Women players by providing grip socks for both training and matchdays.

As part of the ongoing collaboration, Tapedesign will continue to sponsor A-Leagues goalkeepers Chloe Lincoln and Tom Heward-Belle, alongside providing matchday signage. Western United fans will also benefit from a 25% discount on Tapedesign Australia products.

A new initiative for this season is the joint effort between Tapedesign and Western United to promote World Mental Health Day on October 10. On this day, players will wear green Tapedesign socks during training, with green symbolising mental health awareness.

The partnership has grown significantly over the years, with Tapedesign Australia Director Blerton Belica also joining the A-League Women coaching staff. Both organisations are committed to supporting the players and the community, and they look forward to continuing this successful collaboration.

Western United Commercial Partnerships Executive, Nathan Perrone explained the great relationship both parties have as a result of this collaboration.

“It is fantastic to extend our partnership with Tapedesign Australia for a fourth season. It has become a special relationship in the past couple of seasons with Director Blerton Belica becoming part of the A-League Women coaching staff as well," Perrone said in a club statement.

"We are grateful for the support Blerton and the broader organisation continue to provide our players.”

Tapedesign Australia Director, Blerton Belica spoke on the amazing initiative taking place as a result of this partnership.

“We’re incredibly proud and grateful to continue our partnership with Western United for a fourth season," Belica said in a statement.

"Being involved with a club that shares our values and commitment to excellence has been truly rewarding. Seeing our grip socks enhance player performance and now joining forces for initiatives like World Mental Health Day makes this partnership even more meaningful.

"We’re honoured to support the club’s ongoing success on the field and in the community.”

This is great news for Western United and for the local community who benefit from discounts and a fantastic mental health initiative that has a great impact off the pitch.

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Football Australia has confirmed that Paramount Australia, the parent company of Network 10 and Paramount+, will be the official broadcaster for the CommBank Matildas and Subway Socceroos in Australia. This deal includes the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026™ hosted in Australia and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Over 100 international matches featuring the Matildas and Socceroos will be broadcast live, with at least 50 available on free-to-air TV.

Paramount has also secured exclusive rights to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027™, in a partnership with IMG.

The agreement extends through 2028, encompassing all CommBank Matildas and Subway Socceroos friendly matches, AFC tournaments, and Australia Cup Finals. This deal, specifically with ING, also consolidates broadcasting rights under a single platform, ensuring extensive coverage across 96% of Australian households.

With the CommBank Young Matildas opener in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024™ kicking off on September 1st, 2024, fans will immediately benefit from this deal.

James Johnson, CEO of Football Australia, remarked: “This landmark agreement with Paramount Australia is a pivotal moment for Australian football. It brings unprecedented exposure to our national teams and provides fans with unparalleled access to the CommBank Matildas and Subway Socceroos.

“Innovation is the cornerstone of our approach to sustaining and expanding the influence of Australian football. Reacquiring the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) National Team rights and securing the broadcast rights to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027™ are strategic moves designed to maximise control over our content, enhance fan accessibility, and unlock new revenue streams.

"These rights are integral to our strategy to secure a transformative broadcast deal that we anticipate will set new benchmarks in the valuation of football media rights in Australia. Bringing as much national team content as possible to a multi-platform partner was a key objective from a fan's perspective, and we are thrilled to achieve this.

"We look forward to our continued partnership with Paramount Australia, a relationship that has been pivotal in delivering high-quality football matches to our fans. This ongoing collaboration will be crucial as we navigate future opportunities and challenges in the dynamic media landscape.

"We also extend our gratitude to the IMG team for their invaluable support in navigating this complex negotiation with all parties involved and our friends at FIFA and AFC for their tremendous support and collaboration," concluded Mr. Johnson.

This agreement reinforces Paramount Australia's commitment to Australian football, which boasts the highest participation rate of club sport in the country and is the leading organized sport for children under 14.

With exclusive coverage of the A-Leagues, Paramount has been involved in Australian football for many years and continue to provide football fans with local broadcasts.

“Australian football fans are the winners here,” said Beverley McGarvey, President of Network 10 and Paramount Australia’s Head of Streaming and Regional Lead.

“Never before have fans had such incredible access to the sport they love, ranging from the A-Leagues all the way through to premium international games broadcast on one free-to-air network and one of Australia’s fastest-growing streaming platforms.

“Perhaps one of the most exciting aspects of the Paramount Australia agreement, which we see as an exciting extension of our coverage of the A-Leagues, is the opportunity for women’s football.

“All CommBank Matildas’ games at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 will be telecast by Network 10 on free-to-air television, as will all Matildas’ games in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026™,” Ms. McGarvey said.

Fans can access the broadcasts via Network 10 and/or Paramount+ subscriptions, exactly like the A-Leagues coverage.

Exclusive behind-the-scenes content, interactive fan engagement opportunities, and social media initiatives will be part of this comprehensive coverage.

The full list of rights included in the agreement are:

• AFC Asian Qualifiers (FIFA World Cup 2026™ Asian Qualifiers Final Round)
  5 Sep 24 - Australia v Bahrain on Network 10, 10 Play, and Paramount+.
  10 Sep 24 - Indonesia v Australia exclusive on Paramount+.
  10 Oct 24 - Australia v China PR on Network 10, 10 Play, and Paramount+.
  15 Oct 24 - Japan v Australia exclusive on Paramount+.
  14 Nov 24 - Australia v Saudi Arabia on Network 10, 10 Play, and Paramount+.
  19 Nov 24 - Bahrain v Australia exclusive on Paramount+.
  20 Mar 25 - Australia v Indonesia on Network 10, 10 Play, and Paramount+.
  25 Mar 25 - China PR v Australia exclusive on Paramount+.
  5 Jun 25 - Australia v Japan on Network 10, 10 Play, and Paramount+.
  10 Jun 25 - Saudi Arabia v Australia exclusive on Paramount+.
• FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027™ (15 matches on Network 10, all matches on Paramount+).
• AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026™ (six matches on Network 10, all matches on Paramount+).
• AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ (all matches exclusively on Paramount+).
• AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026™ and 2028™.
• All CommBank Matildas and Subway Socceroos International Friendlies 2025 to 2028 (15 CommBank Matildas Friendlies on Network 10, all matches on Paramount+ and 10 Subway Socceroos’ Friendlies on Network 10, all matches on Paramount+).
• Australia Cup Finals 2025 to 2028.

The post Football Australia and Paramount Australia confirm historic multi-year media rights deal appeared first on Soccerscene.

The Central Coast Mariners have confirmed that they are teaming up with the NSW Police and Police Citizens Youth Clubs (PCYC) NSW to deliver the Fit for Life program aiming to help young people across the state.

Fit for Life is an intervention program engaging youth aged between 10 to 17 at risk of poor choices and antisocial behaviour while aiming to improve overall well-being, promote a healthy lifestyle and divert young people from offending behaviours.

The program also focuses on linking physical, emotional and social well-being, nutrition and building resilience skills.

This partnership will see Mariner's players, coaches and staff join these sessions at Bateau Bay, Morisset and Umina Beach PCYCs and Windale Public School once a month.

Superintendent Samuel Crisafulli, Youth Command, said the partnership with the Mariners will provide the youth with a new, safe and fun environment to develop and improve their well-being:

“NSW Police are dedicated to improving the lives of young people through engagement and empowering youth to make the right decisions with programs like Fit for Life,” he said in a media release on the Mariners' website.

“I’d like to thank the Central Coast Mariners for joining us to help mentor young people across the Central Coast, and give them a sense of purpose, belonging and the tools they need to make good decisions.”

Ben Hobby, PCYC NSW Chief Executive Officer, showed his appreciation to all parties involved in the Fit for Life Program:

“Our collaboration with NSW Police and the Central Coast Mariners will be instrumental in continuing a positive, engaging program that inspires youth to lead healthier, more active lives," he said in a media release on the Mariners' website.

“This partnership demonstrates our shared commitment to fostering community well-being and providing young people with opportunities to thrive.”

Central Coast Mariners Men's Head coach, Mark Jackson, said he is looking forward to taking part in this initiative to help youth across NSW:

“We’re excited to be part of the Fit for Life program and make a positive impact to the lives of young people on the Central Coast," he said in a media release on the club's website.

"Football has the power to inspire, and through our involvement, we hope to help people develop not just on the pitch but in life. Empowering them to make choices that lead to a bright future."

Central Coast Mariner Women's Head Coach, Emily Husband, added that the program will help the club strengthen their connection to the broader community:

"This partnership is a wonderful opportunity for our players and staff to connect with the community in a meaningful way," she said in a media release on the club's website.

"We believe in the power of sport to influence positive change. Engaging with these young people we hope to be part of their strong support system."

For more information about the Fit for Life program, visit PCYC's website.

The post Central Coast Mariners team up with NSW Police to aid youth appeared first on Soccerscene.

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has confirmed a major update to its collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with players, effective until 2030.

This move to abolish the draft was expected with the NWSL competing with European leagues for talent and growing at an extraordinary rate, leaving them to focus more on player welfare.

Key changes in the new CBA include:

Draft System Abolished: The NWSL will no longer use a draft system, making it the first major U.S. sports league to do so. This means players will have more control over their team choices.

Revenue Sharing and Salary Cap: The salary cap will increase significantly, from $3.3 million in 2025 to at least $5.1 million by 2030. Players will also benefit from a new revenue-sharing model that ties their salaries to the league's media and sponsorship income.

Improved Player Benefits: The minimum salary will rise from $48,500 to $82,500 by 2030. All player contracts will now be guaranteed. Additional benefits include expanded parental leave, childcare support, mental health services, and access to more health professionals.

Travel and Commercial Opportunities: Teams will have more charter flight options, and the league will commercialise player performance data. Players will also be more accessible to fans and media, and the number of games per season may increase.

Overall, these changes aim to improve player autonomy, compensation, and support while aligning the NWSL with global standards for women’s football.

Comparison to the A-League Women's structure

The lack of professionalism in the A-League Women's competition is a stark contrast to the NWSL's incredible rise, and while it’s unfair to compare one for one in terms of money, the foundations of its success hinged on its ability to pay players properly in the early doors of its existence.

In the 2023/24 season, the minimum wage for ALW players increased to $25,000 by virtue of the extended season, which went to a full home-and-away schedule for the first time.

Players were typically contracted for 35 weeks for a 22-round regular season, with four extra weeks for finals, factoring in preseason training.

The PFA survey conducted an important survey at the end of last season which found many players unhappy with the pay disparity to the A-League Men’s, failing to provide enough remuneration for players to live.

In the survey, 66% of respondents said $60,000 a year would enable them to put 100 per cent focus into their football career whilst 3 in every 5 (60%) claimed to have a second job other than their football, 46% of the players who worked a second job put more than 20 hours in a week at their other occupation.

By contrast, only 15% of A-League Men players were doing some work outside of playing this season, and 93% of those worked less than ten hours per week.

This lack of professionalism has recently forced the hand of top ALW talent like Macey Fraser, Courtnee Vine and Charlotte McLean who all made the move this winter to the NWSL, leaving behind a fair drop in talent for the domestic competition.

A reminder that in the Matildas World Cup squad, every single player had started their career in the A-League Women's competition, and it continues to lack the investment required to truly grow.

What is required for the sport to grow and for players to develop properly in this country is better standards for player welfare, giving top talent a reason to play domestically and growing the game in its own backyard.

Without this, the league will continue to be a stepping stone into Europe or the US with the talent pool suffering over here, which in turn stagnates the marketability of a league that should be growing rapidly following an incredible 2023 FIFA WWC.

The post NWSL’s groundbreaking CBA highlights ALW’s growing gap appeared first on Soccerscene.

John Tsatsimas, Chief Executive Officer of Football New South Wales, experienced the joys of football at an early age when he was exposed to NSW State League competition by his father.

The memories of the first national competition (NSL) launched in 1977 on the Australian sporting landscape are still transfixed in his mind.

His first official post was as General Counsel at Newcastle Jets before he assumed the role of CEO at the club from 2007-2011.

Perhaps his finest hour was as CEO of Western Sydney Wanderers when the club won the Asian Cup in 2014 under the astute guidance of senior coach, Tony Popovic.

Significantly, he also presided over the establishment of major infrastructure innovations at the Wanderers base in Rooty Hill between 2012-2022, including the creation of multiple football fields and amenities which are the envy of most sports in Australia.

[caption id="attachment_26147" align="aligncenter" width="808"] Match action in the 2024 Football NSW Men's Waratah Cup Final between Rockdale Illiden and APIA Leichhardt at Jubilee Stadium (Photos: Damian Briggs/FNSW)[/caption]

However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the experienced administrator at the Wanderers as he witnessed the changing of the coaching guard five times and the failure of the club to make finals football in the last four seasons , prior to his departure in May, 2022.

Nevertheless, John Tsatsimas is a resilient football administrator and since his appointment as CEO at FNSW in November 2022, he has applied all his skills in guiding the organisation on a steady course of stability.

In this interview with Roger Sleeman, John Tsatsimas discusses all things football.

ROGER SLEEMAN

You’ve held CEO positions at Newcastle Jets, Western Sydney Wanderers and Football N.S.W.

Do you think the game is making sufficient progress?

JOHN TSATSIMAS

The game has evolved over the last twenty years and we’ve seen a lot of changes at a professional level.

It has grown exponentially in playing numbers in this period but there are always challenges re-emerging in different ways.

Also, the presence of a multitude of sports played in the country which compete for funding is a major challenge to the amateur and professional game

R.S.

Football has enjoyed large participation rates since the mid 1960’s.

How can this be translated into support at senior level?

J.T.

That’s the million dollar question as the game has historically been a  gateway for young people to play sport ,and trying to retain their support is the biggest issue in the face of increasing demand for infrastructure and the large choice of activities available to them.

Therefore, we need to provide better coaching, improved training facilities and more effective  engagement with an emphasis on providing pathways for players to compete at the highest level and increasing their appetite to follow senior football.

R.S.

NPL Men’s and Women’s football competitions are poorly attended.

In contrast, three weeks ago, Canterbury v Canberra in the NRL drew a crowd of 18,000 at Belmore Oval, while Sydney Olympic are lucky to get attendances of 500 at that ground.

What is  FNSW doing to address this situation?

J.T.

Rugby League has been entrenched since 1908 on the Eastern seaboard but they have very small playing numbers compared to football.

Also, we have competitions where matches are played at the same time due to the large fixture schedule.

People who attend NRL in the main don’t play the game as opposed to our constituents who either coach, play , are spectators or are involved  with transport assistance or fulfil volunteer roles.

Consequently, our sport has large numbers of people who are involved at grass roots while senior football is being played which reduces the spectator pool significantly.

[caption id="attachment_26146" align="aligncenter" width="891"] John Tsatsimas handing out the awards at the Gala event[/caption]

R.S.

Are you satisfied with the level of promotion for NPL football, in view of the very high standard of football produced this season?

J.T.

Certainly, the standard this year has been very high and we must give full credit to coaches and players.

However, it’s not the A-League and in the winter months the presence of the established senior codes, NRL and AFL and the blanket media coverage they receive, is more than challenging.

We are continually looking at ways to improve spectator numbers but there has also been a record number of viewers watching YouTube television this year so the interest in the competition is definitely there.

Also, people can watch up to six games through this medium which proves we are accessing the target markets.

R.S.

Match times for the NPL Men’s competition range from 3 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.

Why can’t we go back to the traditional 3 p.m kick off times for all first team games?

J.T.

The women’s programs are mainly played on Sunday and with the exploding growth of their game, it does create great pressure on facility availability.

Ideally, 3 p.m. kick offs as in former times would be welcome but ultimately the NPL clubs can make their own decisions about playing schedules without direction from FNSW.

R.S.

What is FNSW doing to reduce playing fees for elite football and other amateur participants?

J.T.

It’s a long standing issue but other sports have large broadcasting assistance and obviously a smaller cost base to subsidise their amateur players.

Amateur football clubs aren’t running a business and the costs are infinite, e.g. coaching, field hire council lighting, football gear and insurance.

If we had a silver bullet to change the situation, there would be reform where funding was provided from top down to support amateur football.

However, if we have players who haven’t the means to play at elite level we will attempt to assist them, just as amateur clubs will do if necessary.

R.S.

What is your opinion of the proposed National Second Tier?

J.T.

It’s been long talked about but we’re focusing on our competition.

We certainly won’t stand in the way of any club which has the aspiration to play in a higher level of competition.

As long as our existing clubs are fully invested in NPL football at the present time, we aren’t making any judgement on their desire to participate in the National Second Tier.

Critically, if there is going to be a successful NST, there really has to be representation from all states and a framework for promotion and relegation.

The problem is, the current model for the APL stipulates there won’t be any promotion and relegation until 2034.

[caption id="attachment_26152" align="aligncenter" width="911"] Match action in the NPLNSW Women’s Grand Final between Bulls Academy FC and Macarthur Rams at Valentine Sports Park (Photos: Damian Briggs/Speedmedia)[/caption]

R.S.

After your extensive involvement in the A-league, what is your opinion of its current standing?

J.T.

Challenging times, but I’d like to thing those in charge would give it direction and provide aspiration for junior players to progress through the ranks of NPL to A-League, to Matilda and Socceroo status and then seek out opportunities overseas which will boost the strength of the Socceroos and Matildas.

This can’t be achieved without a functional and successful APL which needs support from everybody in the game.

R.S.

How can we get more former players involved in the game?

J.T.

It’s often a case of creating positions but not every former player wants to stay in the game after their playing career has finished.

It’s a work in progress which has to be considered carefully because former players can definitely add so much to many areas of the game.

R.S.

Can the F.A. show better leadership?

J.T.

Those at the helm of the F.A. join the organisation with the best of intentions and similarly the APL.

However, the sport needs to move away from the pockets of success and grow the game on a consistent basis.

This is the greatest challenge for the governing body and after the success of the Women’s World Cup, the announcement by the Federal government of $200 million funding for women’s sport, with only a small portion allocated  to women’s football, was unexplainable.

These are the issues which require serious attention and strong leadership.

The post John Tsatsimas – Leading the Charge at Football New South Wales appeared first on Soccerscene.

Western United have recently agreed a two-year extension with Science in Sport (SiS) to remain as its Official Performance Nutrition Partner.

This confirmation will allow the club and its academy players to continue to gain access to SiS’s award-winning sports expertise and nutrition products such as their energy gels and recovery powders.

Since collaborating in November 2020, the pair has seen success together with Western United being crowned as A-League Men champions in 2022.

Soccerscene spoke with Commercial Partnerships Executive at Western United, Nathan Perrone, who discusses the journey with SiS, the reasons to extend its partnership with the global nutrition brand and what the future holds for the pair over the next two years.

How did Western United and SiS initially come together as partners in November 2020?

Nathan Perrone: It came together through our Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach at the time, Andrew Rondinelli.

“Rondo” as he’s known, currently works for the GWS Giants and left Western United at the end of the 2022/23 season. He was a big advocate for SiS and had used them in the past at other clubs.

It worked within Australia and the sporting landscape and Andrew Pirchan (former Commercial Partnerships Manager at Western United) managed to organise a deal.

They've been a fantastic partner and contributor to the high-performance side for our A-League teams, and I know the strength and conditioning staff really appreciate what they can provide.

SiS have not only collaborated with other football clubs across the world but have worked in other sports such as cycling and rowing. What made SiS stand out from other nutrition brands?

Nathan Perrone: They're a global brand that works with some of the top performers in the world.

Seeing the likes of Spurs that they work with and hearing their involvements, I think it bodes well for our high-performance team because they want our players to be provided with the best nutrition possible, the supplements and whatever is needed to help increase their performance and recovery.

I'm not the expert in this space and with a lot of these football related partnerships, I play an element from a business lens but a lot of it comes down to the players and staff.

If it's a product that they like and support, I take their best practice and their advice, and they're all key.

They’ve acknowledged to us that they wanted to try and keep one club in the A-League, and they didn't want to support other clubs in Victoria or interstate.

It's nice to hear from them overseas that they want to just back us and go all in on one club. It's a privilege to be able to continue with them.

[caption id="attachment_26086" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] SiS nutrition products. Image credit: Brentford FC website[/caption]

What are the factors that led to this extended partnership with SiS and would you say Western United winning the A-League Championship in 2022 contributed to that?

Nathan Perrone: I'd like to think Tom (Global Head of Elite Sport at SiS) would think it's part of it. Ultimately it has an impact, and you don't want to provide the players with products that aren't top standard.

For us, it was a no brainer coming to the end of the last agreement and there wasn't really any doubt from my mind, the football staff or Tom's for that matter.

For both of us, we just want to get better at trying to elevate the partnership and we’re doing what we can to help promote and support them in Australia, especially.

We can continue to expose ourselves to other clubs they work with as well and learn best practice.

What will we see next in this partnership between Western United and SiS and could we see the latter having an increased role as a partner of the club?

Nathan Perrone: The scale of going to jersey branding is probably unlikely at this point. I know they've recently done a big deal with Rugby Australia, for example, so they're definitely wanting to increase their footprint.

We have a new contact, Sean Morley, who works at Nutrition APAC, playing a key role in distribution of SiS in Australia.

He's going to be more hands on with us to try to do some more giveaways or digital content with the players to really enhance it on that level.

That's their big play in trying to break into local clubs and the NPL, but they really want to become top of mind in Australia for professional athletes and others as well.

The post Nathan Perrone on Western United’s Science in Sport extension: “It’s a privilege to be able to continue with them” appeared first on Soccerscene.

Adelaide United has agreed to continue its collaboration with major South Australian line haul provider, TML Transport, for the upcoming season.

Based in Two Wells, North of Adelaide, TML Transport has worked with clients all across Australia providing a wide range of trucking linehaul services, with a focus on making freight easy and efficient.

The linehaul specialist offers various combinations, from single trailers to B-triple and road train configurations.

With this renewed agreement, TML Transport's logo will once again be featured on the front of the shorts by Adelaide United in all A-League matches throughout the season.

Fabrizio Petrone, Head of Commercial at Adelaide United, was excited about continuing the partnership with TML Transport:

“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with TML as we embark on an exciting new season,” he said in a media release on Adelaide United's website.

“Their commitment to excellence and shared values make them an ideal partner for us and we are delighted to have them on board again.”

Lewis Magro, Owner of TML Transport, spoke about how proud he was to continue working with the Reds:

“We’re really excited to carry on our association with Adelaide United for the 2024/25 season,” he said in a media release on Adelaide United's website.

“As a proudly South Australian-owned and operated company with a national reach, TML Transport is a perfect match for the club. We’re eager to continue working together and supporting Adelaide United’s ongoing success.”

The Reds debuted their new kit in a friendly against West Adelaide which pays homage to Adelaide's iconic title as the 'City of Churches.'

The new shirt features a sublimated design inspired by one of Adelaide's famous landmarks, St. Peter's Cathedral.

It also shows the Champions Star over the badge reminding fans of the club's first championship they won in 2016, as well as a nod to the state's nickname "City of Churches" placed on the bottom left of the shirt.

After this agreement, the club are truly embracing the City of Adelaide by supporting local businesses in the area, as well as through the design of their new kit for the upcoming A-League season.

The post Adelaide United secures TML Transport for 24/25 season appeared first on Soccerscene.

Brisbane Roar has confirmed that Elite Supplements has joined the club as the official Silver Partner.

Elite Supplements will also have their logo featured on the match day playing kit for the Liberty A-League Women’s team ahead of the 2024/25 season.

The company will supply protein supplements to both the A-League Men’s and A-League Women’s squads throughout the upcoming season in a bid to ensure their health, fitness and wellbeing are maintained and looked after.

The company is based in Canberra and their mission is centred around health and fitness, helping individuals achieve their wellness goals and lead healthier lives.

In 2005, former Socceroo Sebastian Giampaolo and his two siblings opened a gym in Woden, Canberra which eventually grew to something a lot larger.

The first Elite Supplements store was launched in 2007 in Canberra’s city centre, managed by Sebastian’s son, Domenic, who has played football at the national level for both the U21 team and the Olyroos.

Since its inception, Elite Supplements has expanded to over 100 stores across Australia including 19 in Queensland.

Brisbane Roar CEO & Chairman Kaz Patafta spoke with enthusiasm about the potential on and off the pitch of this new partnership.

“We’re excited to welcome Elite Supplements on board for the season ahead to provide both our A-League Men’s and Women’s squad with quality supplements to ensure they train, play and feel their best,” Patafta said in a club statement.

“I would like to extend a big thank you to Domenic Giampaolo for supporting Brisbane Roar and women’s sport in Brisbane through our partnership which will be translated onto the pitch with their logo featured on the sleeve of the Liberty A-League Women’s match day playing kits.”

Brisbane Roar are one of the most active clubs in terms of building their business portfolio and they continue to innovate with local and national businesses in a time of the A-League’s financial uncertainty.

This collaboration between Brisbane Roar and Elite Supplements is an example of two sports businesses using each other to improve both the Roar's on-field performance and their fan engagement through wellness and health initiatives.

It's the first collaboration Elite Supplements have done with an elite sports club, and it will be interesting to see how it benefits the Roar with the 2024/25 season approaching.

The post Brisbane Roar add Elite Supplements as Silver Partner for 2024/25 appeared first on Soccerscene.

Western United has confirmed they will be extending their existing partnership with Strapit Medical & Sports Supplies for two more years.

Since 2011, Strapit has become one of Australia's leading sports tape suppliers designed to prevent and manage injuries while helping athletes perform at their best.

Based in Melbourne, they have gained a reputation for producing high-quality medical and sports tapes used by athletes, physiotherapists and healthcare professionals in Australia and globally as well.

Strapit has been partners with Western United since October 2020, playing a crucial role in supporting the club's physiotherapists ensuring all their teams have access to their comprehensive range of medical and taping products to help their performance, recovery and rehabilitation.

For the first time, Western United's injury reports will now be presented by Strapit as part of the agreed extension and there will also be an opportunity for a taping night held at Ironbark Fields for community clubs to develop their knowledge at a grassroots level.

In addition, Strapit branding will continue to be visible on medical bags and products over the next two seasons.

Western United Commercial Partnerships Executive, Nathan Perrone said about the extended partnership with Strapit.

“We are extremely pleased to be extending our partnership with Strapit. The product and service provided to our physios has been fantastic and we look forward to this continuing," he said via media release on Western United's website.

"Despite some personnel changes in both organisations throughout the relationship, the extension of our partnership into a sixth season highlights the strength of the connection which is something to be proud of.”

Strapit Managing Director, Paul Haas said about continuing to support Western United for the next two seasons.

“Strapit is really pleased to extend our contract with Western United FC. Strapit continues its global growth into now 32 countries and supplying many other leading football teams globally including teams in the EPL and other leading football associations," he said via media release on Western United's website.

"Western United and Strapit have had a great five years in partnership to date and the ongoing commitment to continue together reflects the trust in our products from the medical team and players at WUFC."

Stapit has a range of products such as Kinesiology tapes and Active tape and their products have been distributed to over 20 countries worldwide, including Europe and America.

To learn more about Strapit and their products, visit their website.

The post Western United and Strapit extend collaboration for two more years appeared first on Soccerscene.

Perth Glory has confirmed that its A-League Women’s team will host their home games for the 2024/25 season at the Sam Kerr Football Centre.

Situated in Queens Park, this cutting-edge venue, which opened in July 2023, served as a training hub for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and welcomed several international teams.

Sam Kerr is the Glory's best ever player and the world class striker produced incredible goal scoring numbers, with 57 goals in just 71 appearances for the Glory, becoming their all-time record scorer. It was a period of her career that launched her into Europe.

The world-class facility was developed with funding from both the State and Australian governments, with contributions of $34.55 million and $16.25 million, respectively, and was specifically created with the purpose of becoming the main training facility for the Matildas in Perth on top of hosting women's NPL matches. It will now introduce A-League Women's fixtures for the first time.

The centre includes two full-size elite pitches, three five-a-side pitches, seating for approximately 700 spectators, change rooms, office and meeting spaces, and extensive parking.

Perth Glory Women's team spent the last three seasons at Macedonia Park, home of NPL WA club Stirling Macedonia. It is the same ground used by Glory's men’s team in the 2022/23 season whilst HBF Park had ongoing renovations.

Glory CEO Anthony Radich believes that the new venue will provide an ideal home for the club’s ALW side and potentially to become a new fortress.

“We’re excited to be playing at the Sam Kerr Football Centre and are very appreciative to Football West and VenuesWest for their support in making this move possible," Radich said in a club statement.

“We will always be grateful for the support we received from Stirling Macedonia during our time at Macedonia Park hosting both our Men’s and Women’s games.

“They were incredible hosts who were genuinely committed to the betterment of our game.

“I would like to sincerely thank President Luke Pavlos, Vice-President Chris Velios and everyone involved at the club for all of their hard work and contribution over the last few years.

“We are also very appreciative of the support the City of Canning provided for our move to the Sam Kerr Football Centre.

“With the incredible growth and professionalism of the women’s game, the Sam Kerr Football Centre now offers our players, Members and fans state-of-the-art facilities which will only help to elevate the game and take it to new levels.

“We cannot wait to get our 2024/25 ALW campaign underway in November.”

Football West CEO and Glory legend Jamie Harnwell is excited at the prospect of the terrific new facility hosting ALW matches.

“The Sam Kerr Football Centre was designed to be the home of football in WA and hosting the Glory Women here serves to reinforce that aim,” Harnwell mentioned in the Perth Glory statement.

“It provides an opportunity for the community to come together in a family-friendly environment and support our elite-level women on the national stage.

“This move is another example of Football West and Perth Glory working collaboratively to drive the game forward here in WA.”

This move to the Sam Kerr Football Centre is a smart one, making use of the new world class facility used by four international teams during the 2023 Women's World Cup and situated in the heart of Perth, making accessibility easy for new potential fans.

The post Perth Glory ALW to play at Sam Kerr Football Centre next season appeared first on Soccerscene.

Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) have released their annual Player Development Program (PDP) Report for 2023/2024.

This is an overall summary of the achievements and breakdown of data form the PFA  Programs with recognition of their important figures and feedback.

Established by the PFA in 2013, the PDP is the PFA’s approach to player development. The PDP is supported by the Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) between the PFA, on behalf of the players, the Australian Professional Leagues and Football Australia.

Jackson Irvine, current Socceroo and PFA President sets the tone of the PFA mission.

“I firmly believe in the importance of footballers balancing their careers on the pitch with pursuits and interests off it. Personally, I’ve always felt that my identity and passions extend beyond football, enabling me to maintain a healthy balance off the field and be well-prepared for the inevitable transition after I hang up my boots.”

The Program’s overall objectives cover the 3 program sections of supporting players in their Career, Wellbeing and Retirement.

These objectives are:

1. To deliver high quality, evidence-based programs and services to ensure that players have access to the best education, information and practical skill building.
2. Empowering players to ensure a successful transition and retirement into a meaningful and fulfilling life.
3. To ensure the connection between players, the PFA and the game continues beyond their retirement as a player.
4. Establishing and foster industry commitment and awareness of player development.

Career:

This program is to ensure players develop an understanding of the industry, including their rights and responsibilities while transitioning into new environments in professional football.

Some of the resulting data includes:

• 203 Education grants provided to players.
• 211 players undertook PDP induction.
• 435 A-Leagues players attended PFA skill development workshops.
• 47 National Team players attended a financial education, tax and superannuation workshop.

Wellbeing

Player’s wellbeing has been the most evident growing part of the PDP.

The PFA PDP provides players access to a variety of programs and services to support their physical and mental health and wellbeing.

Through the PFA’s Mental Health Referral Network players and family members have been able to get confidential access to a selection psychologists, psychiatrists and psychotherapists.

Through then PFA’s new partnership with Sporting Chance Clinic UK the PFA can now deliver UK base Clinical support for players in the European leagues.

This network has been used to fight the many wellbeing areas in need of support

Some of these involve:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Relationship breakdown
• Addiction
• Grief
• Body issues
• Performance anxiety

The PFA has recorded that 1,082 Confidential counselling sessions were provided to players in the 23/24 season.

A massive increase if you compared to just 773 sessions in the 22/23 season and 141 in 20/21 season.

Rita Mankowska, the PFA Head of Player Development, comments: “The new partnership with UK-based Sporting Chance Clinic will enhance the PFA’s mental health services available to players based overseas.

“The new partnership will positively impact over 150 of the PFA’s overseas based members and their partners, granting them access to receive emotional or mental health support by accredited expert practitioners in European-friendly time zones.”

Also, within the Wellbeing Program there has been:

• 10 GameReady recovery machines provided to players to support their recovery from injury.
• 30 Heart Health, Concussion and Skin Cancer Checks for Past Players.
• 45 Skin Cancer Checks for National Team Players.
• 115 players that undertook concussion, betting and match fixing education.

Retirement

A source of immense pressure for players in their relatively short careers is their eventual retirement opportunities.

The PFA focuses on fully preparing players for their eventual retirement by exploring post football careers and incentivising off field development and education.

In this season:

• 150 players joined the PFA Past Player Program.
• 18 past player events held across most major cities including 6 Women's World Cup special events.
• 76 players attended PFA centralised coaching courses.
• 16 players entered the PFA x Deloitte Salesforce Career Training Program.

Before the conclusion of each A-League season, the PFA invited all members to give feedback on the PFA PDP and staff.

The result of this review is a massive success:

• 97% of players were either slightly or extremely satisfied with the PDP.
• 97% satisfaction of PFA skill development workshops.
• 97% satisfaction of PFA education grants.
• 95% satisfaction of the PFA's Mental Health Referral Network.

These results solidify the healthy support the PFA receives in their effective programs and integral place in the Australian Footballing framework.

The PFA’s expansion into the UK with their Mental Health Referral Network also indicates their drive for expansion and still delivering top quality support for Australians who want to follow a career overseas.

This Player Development Program shows great promise and a rewarding metric for the PFA to try and exceed in the coming 2024/25 season.

You can read the PDP Report 2024 in full by visiting the link here.

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Adelaide United confirm the launch of their Girls Only Junior Development Program which enhances the clubs commitment to nurturing young female football talent.

This new initiative is an expansion of their existing Junior Development Program and is specifically tailored to support the next generation of female players.

The program will take place at Jubilee Reserve in West Lakes and is scheduled to run from Friday, 23 August to Friday, 20 September. Over the course of five sessions, girls aged 9 to 14 will have the opportunity to develop their fundamental football skills in a dedicated and supportive environment.

The focus of the program is not just on football techniques but also on fostering personal growth, confidence, and empowerment.

Top youth development coaches from the A-League club will guide young players to excel both on and off the field, ensuring they build the skills and mindset necessary for success in both football and in life.

By expanding on its already successful Girls Only program, Adelaide United is reinforcing its dedication to providing clear pathways for young female athletes, ensuring they have the resources and support needed to reach their full potential.

Marcelo Carrusca​​​​, Adelaide United’s Head of Junior Development discussed the big potential this program has to create a simple pathway for young girls in the state.

“We are thrilled to launch this Girls Only Junior Development Program, which marks a significant step forward in our commitment to nurturing female talent,” Carrusca said in a club statement.

“This program is not just about football; it’s about giving young girls the confidence and skills they need to succeed in all areas of life. We want to create an environment where they feel empowered to reach their full potential.”

This is a fantastic initiative and has been a goal of the club for many years. With the incredible growth of the women's game in Australia, they are focused on trying to create the best development environment in the country for local girls, similar to their extensive success with the boys program.

Registrations for the Girls Only Junior Development Program are now open through the club's official website.

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Western United has announced that it will continue its partnership with HART Sport for a fifth season, having been together since October 2020.

HART Sports has played a key role in supplying Western United's A-Leagues, Academy and Community programs with a multitude of training equipment and sporting goods.

Nathan Perrone, Western United Commercial Partnerships Executive, said regarding the extended partnership:

“We are grateful for the opportunity to extend our partnership with HART Sport. Andrew, Matt and the team have been fantastic supporters of the Club for a long period now, highlighted by their strong presence across our community programs," he said via a media release on the club's website.

"The quality and service the team provide has been incredible throughout the partnership and we look forward to this continuing."

Andrew Mills, HART Sport National Sales Manager, voiced his excitement to continue supporting Western United into the new season:

"We’re thrilled to extend our partnership with United in what is an exciting period for the club, as they settle into their new facilities. The decision to continue our support into a fifth season was quite straightforward and we look forward to the 2024/25 season," he said via a media release on the club's website.

HART Sport will continue to have a significant presence helping A-Leagues ball kids on matchday and supporting The United Football Program, which aims to support local football clubs in the Western region.

HART Sport has also been a big supporter of the WE ARE WEST community rewards program, which gifts community clubs in the west of Melbourne and Victoria with experiences, surprises and products when they sign up as a member of the club for the upcoming season.

The sports equipment manufacturer has provided $5,000 worth of vouchers for rewards potentially going to junior clubs in the West and will continue to help equip those clubs with the necessary gear for training and match days with this agreed extension.

HART Sport has been a massive contributor to Western United; having provided the essential training equipment and goods for not only their men's and women's teams but also their academy and community programs.

For more information about HART Sport, visit their website.

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Football NSW has worked through their 2024 Player Development Review and used it as a guide to improve its women's and girls' competitions and development programs for the coming seasons.

From 23 members and stakeholders’ meetings and 1,490 survey responses they have outlined six major adaptations for the following seasons in the 2025-26 competition and technical changes:

1. Maintain the current numbers within Girls’ / Women’s Competitions, two tiers of 14 Clubs.
2. Expand the Girls’ Youth League Two to include Under 18s, aligning the leagues
3. Women’s Reserve Grade & U20s to become Under 23s (plus 4 overage players per match card team sheet)
4. Decoupling of Girls’ Youth League & Women’s Senior Competitions
5. Implementation of Club Standards across Girls’ Youth Leagues (two-year licence period)
6. Dissolution of the Football NSW Institute program & introduction of the ‘Future Sapphires’ programs.

On top of this, the Football NSW Institute program, open since 2013, will close operations at the end of the 2024 season.

An interesting take from Football NSW given the amount of talent that has been produced by the program including prominent Matildas.

Though Football NSW does point out that with the rise in player numbers in grassroots football and female engagement across NSW and the massive investment from clubs through all levels in girls' development.

The institute now could be observed as obsolete due to the size of the women's game in NSW.

The closure of the Institute will free the association to concentrate on ensuring Club accountability, competition regulation and capability building across all participant groups (e.g. coaches, referees, technical directors).

The development and playing opportunities for girls and women are now placed predominantly in the player pathway programs of 4 A league clubs (Central Coast Mariners, Macarthur FC, Newcastle Jets FC and West Sydney Wanderers FC).

The idea is that the implementation of Club Standards and Benchmarking Framework, alongside Football NSW mechanisms of support, will streamline the delivery of extensive girls’ and women’s high-performance programs in NSW.

The Football NSW-led talented player pathway, underpinned by Club programs, the Talent Support Program (TSP) and the Talent Development Scheme (TDS) matches in conjunction with Football Australia.

These clubs are set to participate in the 2025/2026 Football NSW Girls’ Youth Leagues and Senior Women’s Competitions (NPL Women’s and League One Women’s).

Football NSW’s joint activities with these clubs will give players more opportunities at higher levels for girls and women's players than Football NSW has done before.

With this Football NSW has also announced the ‘Future Sapphires’ program in 2025. A 40-week program for players across the Under 15, Under 16 & Under 18 age grades.

Some major goals of this new program include:

• 75% retention rate
• 45% of national representatives from NSW
• 25% increase in Female coaches and managers

This development shows a massive change in the NSW Football system for girls' development and women’s competitive football.

This bold strategy is more than possible to achieve growth in NSW’s women’s football if the strategies are met and the support continues.

Exciting times lie ahead for female football in NSW.

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Western United has teamed up with BrandScent and LIGHT + GLO for three years to create a signature scent for Ironbark Fields in Tarneit.

This unique collaboration will help Western United foster a memorable smell at their home ground, capturing the essence of the club.

The creation of the signature scent is underway with input from A-Leagues players Ben Garuccio and Julia Sardo and will evolve over the coming months to perfect the scent in time for the start of the 2024/25 A-Leagues season.

LIGHT + GLO, the fragrance house involved with BrandScent, will feature on LED signage during home matches and host pop-up activations at games and events.

Starting in the 2025 season, their branding will also appear on the front of shorts for the club’s junior academy.

BrandScent is a multi-award-winning scent marketing agency, specialising in creating a signature scent for their clients and manufacturing custom branded candles and fragranced promotional products.

The local company, based in Truganina, Victoria has worked with a range of companies globally from Toll Group to Arnott's and American Express but hasn't involved themselves in football until now.

Western United Commercial Partnerships Executive, Nathan Perrone expressed his delight at signing with the local company.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with BrandScent. It is always special bringing a partnership to life with a local Wyndham business," he said in a club statement.

“Jeeva and Suji have an exciting product with a wealth of knowledge to help us elevate the experience for those coming to Ironbark Fields.

“We are looking forward to how creative we can be, and members can look forward to some unique products coming soon.”

BrandScent Director, Jeeva Sanjeevan spoke about bringing a unique experience to the new home in Ironbark Fields for the next three seasons.

“The team at BrandScent is thrilled to capture the vibrant essence of Western United in a signature scent," Sanjeevan said in a statement.

“This collaboration allows us to transform Ironbark Fields into an immersive and memorable environment through the power of science-backed scent marketing.

“We can’t wait to unveil the unique sensory experiences we’ve designed for the club and its supporters.”

This partnership is quirky and different with a goal to simply give Western United an identity through a smell at Ironbark Fields.

Western United have recently signed a few new partnerships and are expanding their corporate portfolio extremely quickly as they look to turn around their on-field fortunes and grow as a club for the future.

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Sydney FC and Kennards Hire will continue their partnership for a record-breaking 10th season, thanks to a new three-year deal, establishing the family-owned equipment hire group as the longest-serving corporate partner in Sky Blues history.

The collaboration, which has lasted seven years so far, is now extended to run through the end of the 2026/27 season.

Since joining in 2017, Kennards Hire has become synonymous with the Sky Blues, earning a reputation as one of the most trusted and recognisable brands in the equipment hire industry.

The Kennards Hire logo will continue to be prominently displayed on the back of Sydney FC's Isuzu-UTE A-League and Liberty A-League shirts.

Sydney FC Chief Executive Officer Mark Aubrey states that the renewal reflects the success of the current partnership.

“Kennards Hire are excellent partners of Sydney FC and have been for many years,” he said via press release.

“This extension represents a fantastic long-term commitment to Sydney FC and Australian football by a renown and successful Australian company.

“Kennards Hire and Sydney FC are two family orientated organisations who want to champion football and build strong family bonds through the game in this country.

“I’m excited to be continuing this important work with Kennards Hire for the better of the game and I congratulate them on extending their relationship with the Sky Blue family.”

Last season, the partnership expanded as many young fans joined Sky Blues players at Sky Park for Kennards Kids Day. Additionally, Kennards Hire, alongside the Kennards Hire Foundation, hosted over 100 young supporters at Allianz Stadium for a VIP experience during Sydney FC’s match against Melbourne City.

Kennards Hire CEO Bill Whitehouse stated that Sydney FC is a cherished member of their extended family via press release.

“Our partnership with Sydney FC is one of mutual respect, based on strong family values. Our community activations over the past few years such as Kennards Kids Day and ‘Best Seats in the House’ have been very successful, and we are proud to be providing opportunities for young Sky Blue supporters to feel so involved with their team.

“We are excited to continue backing both the A-League Men’s and Women’s squads for the next three years, and delivering many more football experiences for both youth and our corporate partners.”

The partnership between Sydney FC and Kennards Hire was officially introduced in July 2017 at Bondi Icebergs, prior to Sydney FC's match against English Premier League giants Arsenal FC.

To find out more information about Kennards Hire, click here

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The Central Coast Mariners confirm a partnership with local brewery Six String Brewing Co. to reinforce their mutual dedication to community and excellence.

This collaboration is building on the success of the fan-favourite CCM Lager that released during the incredible premiership run last season. This partnership promises to bring new and exciting opportunities to engage with our fans and enhance their experiences with both brands.

There will be innovative collaborations, exclusive events and exciting opportunities in the future for the fanbase through this partnership.

Launched in late 2012 by founders Chris Bensen and Adam Klasterka, Six String Brewing Company are a proudly locally owned and independent craft brewery with all their brewing & packaging of beer onsite in Erina.

The local brewery offers merchandise, weekly tours, great music and packaged beers that can be delivered Australia-wide.

Head of Commercial Operations at the Central Coast Mariners, Teli Taktikos spoke on the exciting future with the brewery.

“Partnering with Six String Brewing Co. has been incredibly rewarding. As we move forward, Mariners fans can anticipate enjoying Six String Brewing Co. beverages at corporate events throughout the 2024/25 season. This partnership underscores our joint commitment to delivering memorable moments for our community," Taktikos said in a club released statement.

“Together, we look forward to offering Mariners fans exceptional experiences both on and off the pitch.”

General Manager of Six String Brewing Co., Brent Adams expressed the same excited sentiment about the collaboration with their hometown club.

“As a Central Coast based company, we are extremely proud to be partnering with the Central Coast Mariners and celebrate their achievements throughout the 2024/2025 season and together we look forward to showing what the Central Coast is capable of achieving," he said in a statement.

"This partnership is about more than just beer and football; it’s about showcasing the spirit and talent of the Central Coast and making a positive impact on our customers and fans.”

It's another example of the Central Coast Mariners adopting their community-first mindset in regards to partnerships. This specific collaboration is a great way to engage with football fans through exceptional beer from a Central Coast born and bred brewery and help support local businesses in general.

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Central Coast Mariners confirm a new partnership with the Australian Reptile Park in an attempt to enhance member experiences and community engagement.

The partnership opens up the possibility to attract new fans into the stadium with every new Australian Reptile Park adult, child or concession annual pass holder receiving a 3-match pass to see the Central Coast Mariners play at Industree Group Stadium in Gosford.

It was launched with Mariners players Ryan Edmondson, Alfie McCalmont, and Mikael Doka visiting the park and interacting with the animals.

The Central Coast Mariners are routinely busy with community and corporate partners with one of the clubs main goals being to involve a community-minded mentality as a sporting organisation.

This partnership in particular gives local families a chance to experience the A-League and the Mariners in a time of great on-field success, something the club will certainly look to capitalise on.

The club looks to grow its already extremely large portfolio of partners, and they have set off on the right foot early with the announcement of this collaboration and the Six String Brewing Co back to back in late July, well before the season kicks off.

Head of Commercial Operations at the Central Coast Mariners, Teli Taktikos shared his excitement about the partnership:

“Partnering with the Australian Reptile Park is a significant step towards enriching the Mariners fan experience beyond the pitch. This initiative not only enhances our members’ leisure activities but also strengthens our ties within the local community,” Taktikos said in a club statement.

Operations Manager at the Australian Reptile Park, Billy Collett expressed his excitement at connecting the park to the club's members.

“At the Australian Reptile Park, we are thrilled to welcome Central Coast Mariners members and their families. We pride ourselves on giving our visitors the opportunity to interact closely with our incredible animals and create lasting memories. We look forward to providing an unforgettable day out for Mariners fans!” he said in a statement.

This partnership is created through shared values like their commitment to community pride and celebration.

With a goal to provide unique experiences and add more potential new fans of all ages, the Mariners are clearly committed to bettering their off field aspect especially with this quirky collaboration.

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Melbourne Victory shareholder, Joe Mirabella, was introduced to football at an early age when he was taken by his father to watch his beloved Juventus in the Victorian State League.

Following a playing career where he reached reserve grade status, Mirabella became president of the club in 1990, served on the board of Football Victoria in 1991 and 1992 and became a shareholder of Melbourne Victory when the A-League commenced in 2005.

He is one person who puts his money where his mouth is, through his highly successful trading company, Mirabella International, which currently has a 12.5% shareholding in Melbourne Victory after it was diluted from 19% when 777 acquired its majority interest in the club.

Mirabella’s motivation to see football succeed in Australia is clear for all to see but he is also realistic there are many challenges facing the game.

In this interview with Roger Sleeman, Mirabella discusses all things A-League, the proposed National Second Tier competition, the future of Melbourne Victory and his hopes for the progress of the game.

ROGER SLEEMAN

What motivated you to seek a financial stake in the A-League?

JOE MIRABELLA

There’s a family connection here as we put our money into the State League and N.S.L. and it was my late father who encouraged  us to buy shares in Victory at the start of the A-League.

He was a true believer in Frank Lowy who was tough but craved success for the game so it was a natural process for me to be involved at Victory when Lowy came back to the game at the start of the A- League.

Personally, I have a love affair with the game and it’s my dream the game will reach its true potential in the not too distant future.

R.S.

The A-League experienced many years of success.

In hindsight, was it a wise move to unbundle the League from the F.A.?

J.M.

It was a big mistake by the owners of the A-League clubs and the removal of Steven Lowy was catastrophic.

The Lowy family had the ability to negotiate with government and keep the League on a good financial footing so they should never have been removed from power.

My statements supporting  this view are recorded in the Melbourne Victory records.

R.S.

What was your reaction to the removal of over forty employees from the APL in January?

J.M.

It had to happen because the league was bleeding money with clubs facing insolvency.

Critically, there should never have been so many employed in the first place.

R.S.

Are you confident in the current executive management overseeing the APL?

J.M.

Not impressed at all and they’re doing nothing except talking since Stephen Conroy came to power as Independent Chairman.

When Conroy took up his position, he had three tasks to perform.

(1) Advise the clubs that none of them could be directors  of the APL and an independent board would be installed for the benefit of the game.

(2) An enquiry be undertaken to account how the $140 million from Silver Lake was spent, e.g.$40 million to Keepup and subsidies for Perth Glory to stave off bankruptcy.

(3) A comprehensive review of the television deal with Ten and Paramount.

None of these tasks have been achieved.

R.S.

What was your take on the reduction of funding to the A-League clubs from $2 million to $530,000 per season announced in May?

J.M.

I knew it was coming and told Stephen Conroy he should go back to basics like the NSL model.

I suggested no levy or licence fee should be charged even if it meant the $530,000 contribution to the clubs was reduced.

Also, that prize money should be allocated for the minor premiership and end of season playoffs and the salary cap removed.

There should also be an increase in the League to sixteen teams to create economies of scale  and the clubs should be encouraged to build their asset base to provide income streams and consequent financial stability.

[caption id="attachment_25617" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Joe Mirabella with his two sons & Keisuke Honda, at Melbourne Victory's Round 14 match with Wellington Phoenix on January 20, 2019.[/caption]

R.S.

What is your opinion of the proposed National Second Tier competition?

J.M.

I can’t see it going ahead and believe the FA always knew this under the current plan.

If it goes ahead, they’ll send the clubs bankrupt.

Without promotion and relegation it’s not sustainable because without this carrot there’s no incentive for the clubs.

R.S.

What is your view of the current Paramount television deal?

J.M.

It’s not successful with subscriptions right down, and with revenue to the clubs only paid on pro rata subscriptions, it’s not an ideal situation.

R.S.

Melbourne Victory was always a flag bearer of Australian football.

Where do you see it now, and in the future?

J.M.

We have to look at the financial situation first because there’s no olive tree in the backyard.

The deal for 777 to buy out the club within five years doesn’t look promising because the club doesn’t have sufficient assets to make a wholesale purchase attractive.

The company also has the weight of the Bonza airline liquidation to contend with and recently their proposed purchase of Everton F.C. has failed.

Consequently, 777’s ability to buy the balance of Victory’s shares which will cost them $40 million seems remote.

Therefore, the only way Victory can stay afloat in the long term is for bank finance to be raised.

However, the question is without sufficient asset backing, who is going to guarantee the bank loans because the existing shareholders certainly won’t.

[caption id="attachment_25618" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Jim Christo, Anthony Di Pietro & Joe Mirabella with his two sons at the A-League Men semi-final in Sydney on April 28, 2018.[/caption]

R.S.

How do you see the future of the A-League?

J.M.

Most of the clubs, except for the Wanderers and Sydney FC, have financial constraints but with new ownership at Perth Glory and Newcastle there is hope on the horizon.

All clubs need is to increase their asset backing and diversify their revenue streams so they can live within their means.

Promotion of the league is also tantamount to its long term stability.

The post Joe Mirabella: Melbourne Victory on my mind appeared first on Soccerscene.

To the relief of Newcastle Jets fans and those of the A-Leagues alike, Maverick Sports Partners were unveiled as the Club’s new owners.

The June announcement ended months of speculation, with questions being asked about whether the Jets would even survive financially.

Now under fresh leadership, Maverick Sports Partners will support the Club’s future and build on the tight-knit community that Newcastle represents.

Speaking to Soccerscene after the deal was confirmed and ahead of the Round of 32 Australia Cup tie with Rockdale Ilinden, Jets CEO Shane Mattiske describes the feeling of elation, the challenges it presented, upcoming business plans and how the A-Leagues will still thrive.

How has everything been since the confirmed announcement?

Shane Mattiske: It’s the end point of one big stage of the Club’s history.

We’ve been working hard in the background to build a strong foundation for growth in a real transitional period.

The critical thing was to find a new permanent ownership group – we are really pleased to launch into that new era alongside Maverick Sports Partners.

It’s great for the players, community and stakeholders because it sets up our future and puts us in a position where we can focus on growth and makes everyone happy.

What have you seen in the Newcastle community with their support?

Shane Mattiske: We are seeing strong engagement from the corporate sector and our members.

Our memberships went on sale and our target of 10,000 members is ideal but we of course aim for more. We’ve already had a great response from our membership base, with early renewals and quite a few new members coming in despite being away from the formal part of the season; this is really encouraging.

We’re looking forward to the team getting back on field and seeing the fans come out and we’re confident that the work’s been done to support that through good crowd growth and build on the successes of the women’s and men’s teams.

It is exciting to see so many people lean forward and now want to get involved in the Club, with the comfort of the new era that also celebrates our 20^th year coming up, highlighting the heritage and history of the Jets.

[caption id="attachment_25624" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Mattiske has been instrumental in securing the services of Maverick Sports Partners, among existing sponsors of the Newcastle Jets.[/caption]

Do you have any plans in mind with Maverick Sports Partners at this stage?

Shane Mattiske: We are already making changes. Jason Hoffman is the first big example where he has come in from being an elite player to the corporate side of the Club.

He’s creating a connection between the men’s playing squad and our community team. Jason is one of those people that has got a big presence and has an identity.

Through his efforts, we are already seeing some great engagement at corporate level.

In addition, we are launching a new product called ‘Jets in Business’, where the broader business community come together and network with other organisations that has got an interest in football through this community and the success of our men’s and women’s teams.

We've also added Ken Schembri as General Manager of Football and Ben Hawes as General Manager of Commercial, Digital and Marketing.

We do have some big ambitions in terms of our growth. We are focusing very hard on our corporate revenue growth and membership numbers, with some big targets for our community engagement going forward.

From a personal point of view, how were the challenges in your role?

Shane Mattiske: For the past three and a half years, this has been a period where we’ve seen the game come together, particularly representatives from clubs in the game who recognised the importance of Newcastle and this region.

We’ve received great support and without it, we couldn’t progress to this stage.

There has been a lot of work on creating a strong platform to grow from, when further resources came under a new ownership structure.

A lot of people here, such as our playing group, have worked hard and performed really well despite the uncertainty that was going on.

All our people inside the Club and our corporate partners believed that this club did have a strong future here, with dedication and commitment that we would realise.

It’s really rewarding to get to this point where we’ve set ourselves up to grow and got a good collective within the Maverick Sports Partners ownership, with interesting dimensions that will help us for business skills and great experience in the football space.

What do you make of the state of the game and the A-Leagues?

Shane Mattiske: The last 12 months have been an incredible period for the game, featuring the Women’s World Cup. That has unlocked a connection to the whole Australian population – there would be very few families, adults or children that wouldn’t have been inspired and engaged by the success of the Matildas.

The diversity that exists for the tournament proved to be a watershed moment for football in this country.

At the elite level, you’re seeing people engage in football and you can see how that’s driven growth.

From a Newcastle perspective, we more than doubled our average crowd for women’s football, ending with 7,000 to set a new record for the semi-final.

We’ve seen huge growth across the board in participation; football is the one sport that’s booming and there’s incredible numbers in female participation, so we have some really bright signs for the game’s future.

You can’t get away from the fact that the APL have had to work through some challenges as they refine their economic model. Being close to it, we think they are short-term challenges and there’s confidence around the way they intend to work through them.

You look to those indications around the strength of the base that sits behind football and that gives everyone comfort that in the medium-longer term, there is a strong future for football.

The economic model just needs some slight refinement, and that’s what it being worked through at the moment.

The post Newcastle Jets CEO Shane Mattiske on Maverick Sports Partners ownership: “It is exciting to see so many people lean forward and now want to get involved” appeared first on Soccerscene.

Western United FC has announced a two-year extension with Science in Sport as its Official Performance Nutrition Partner.

Science in Sport is one of the world’s leading performance nutrition brands, combining world-class knowledge and scientific formulations to provide optimal performance solutions across the nutritional need states of energy, hydration, and recovery. This is done through world-leading research and their innovative programme, Science in Sport formulates evidence-based products aiming to aid an athlete’s performance.  

Science in Sport have been partnered with Western United since November 2020 and they will reach a sixth season after this deal. The nutrition brand has played a pivotal role in player nutrition and performance at the club.

This recently signed two-year extension will allow the club and its academy players to continue to access Sports in Science’s award-winning sports nutrition products and expertise. 

Mal Impiombatio, Western United General Manager of Football, spoke about continuing their partnership with the nutrition brand:

“We are thrilled to be extending our partnership with Science in Sport for another two seasons. Sports in Science has played a key role in our player's nutrition and performance throughout the past four seasons, and we are excited to continue working with a world leader in performance nutrition,” he said in a media statement on Western United’s club website.

Sports in Science Global Head of Elites, Tom Rose, added about the two-year extension:

“We are delighted to be renewing with Western United, providing the team with world-class nutritional support and latest innovations to fuel their performances in the A-League,” he said in a media statement on Western United’s club website.

They have also worked with many Australian sports teams and organisations such as the AIS and fellow A-League sides Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix FC.

Sports in Science have also branched out internationally with other football clubs such as Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur and MLS outfit New York City FC.

Nutrition has become an essential part of a footballer’s routine and this partnership between Western United and Science in Sport will prove beneficial in ensuring players will play to an optimal standard.

For more information about Science in Sport and its products, visit their website.

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Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci is steadfast in capitalising on the World Cup hype, as lofty goals are at the heart of his success metrics within the member federation.

His ambition of football becoming the number one sport of choice in Queensland is backed by strategic objectives that focus on all facets of the game, all released within the last few months.

In a wide-ranging chat with Soccerscene, Cavallucci discusses the 2024-2026 Game Development Strategy, 2024-2026 Referee Strategy, 2023-2026 One Football Strategic Plan and his perspective on the National Second Tier situation in Queensland.

[caption id="attachment_25557" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] The Matildas celebrate Cortnee Vine's decisive penalty.[/caption]

How was the 2024-2026 Game Development Strategy developed with forming objectives? 

Robert Cavallucci: Our strategic plan mirrors Football Australia’s, but translates directly into a Queensland context; the KPIs, planning structure, priorities and pillars are the same, but we break it down into what the Queensland contribution to the national objectives are.

My role as CEO is to operationalise that plan. If you look at it and see a whole bunch of things in here – such as gender parity, referees, fans, coaches and pathways that should be in a plan – my job is to see what tasks are needed and what organisational design is required to deliver these objectives.

We’ve constructed 11 operational plans which includes the game development plan, futsal, referees, coach education, women & girls, elite pathway government relations and stadium strategy.

Within each of those 11 plans, it’s got all that we need to do over the next four years across each of the 10 regions of Queensland to realise these goals.

How we do it is working with our game development team, GMs and stakeholders across the state.

All KPIs are broken down across each of the 10 regions - each of our region managers understand what to do for their area: including Far North, Wide Bay, South Coast or Darling Downs.

Knowing what we’re meant to do in a region means that it can translate to successful outcomes which delivered over the last four years. Without those frameworks in place, you really are just a rudderless ship and you're very unlikely to achieve anything.

We've got a good framework behind us with our budgets around it and therefore across all those strategic objectives, we're absolutely making material differences which is good.

When you're out there working with stakeholders such as schools, community groups, or clubs to drive interest in the game, we must translate that in through several different channels and mechanisms.

We then translate that into decisions to move them into clubs within their community and then we can bring them through the different programs at a club level – which includes social engagement, social interaction and social participation.

Whether it's multicultural, women & girls, school or indoor, there's dozens of different programs that we have that make it possible – and we've expanded that even more with the Brisbane Roar in new community programs that we're doing under their brand.

[caption id="attachment_25553" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] The Game Development Strategy is across 10 regions of Queensland.[/caption]

How is the general interest in the game across the regions?

Robert Cavallucci: I don't think I’ve ever seen it as extensive as it is now in Queensland, the interest is off the charts.

It's easy to have interest but you must have the programs to match that interest. Events will come and go such as World Cups, but if you don't have the mechanisms in place to keep that interest thriving and to transition it into active participation, then the interest is not relevant and it's wasted.

One of the primary jobs of a member federation is to do that, it's one of our key obligations to generate interest and bring active participation.

[caption id="attachment_25550" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] World Cup tournaments have been a key driver for participation rates.[/caption]

The 2024-2026 Referee Strategy has been created, what are some of the differences to support officials?

Robert Cavallucci: The Referee Strategy is one of the most important ones, but one of the more complex as well.

You can put on a thousand courses, and you can drive interest, but there's so many other factors outside of our control that severely impact referee numbers.

We have broader issues in our society that has nothing to do with football, but relates with interpersonal relationships - how do people treat and talk to each other?

What's acceptable in levels of aggression or abuse? There is none, but people might have differing opinions about what that is. What are the factors that people believe that, in a sporting context, they’re allowed to drop societal rules from general discourse with someone and abuse someone in the middle of the field?

To support referees, we have the three strikes policy and it’s probably the hardest in Australia, but they're built on collective responsibility. Everyone at a club is responsible for the actions of every participant and player at the club.

You can't just disassociate yourself and go, he or she is a bad egg, everyone else is fine. No, if you see abuse, you are obligated to say that behaviour is not welcome here.

Until we have collective responsibility over these issues where they are some positive outcomes, I don't think we're going to be able to reset the behavioural norms at a football field.

That’s what it will take to see a meaningful change in the number and quality of referees.

If the churn rate is so high, how do you have someone in a system developing for 3, 5 or 10 years when they're barely lasting just a few years? It's a broader issue, but ultimately, we can only solve societal issues to a certain point within the context of a football club.

Social media is a significant issue and challenge for us. That's another mechanism by which people can aggregate in groups, large or otherwise, and disassociate themselves from societal norms, and treat people appallingly.

Who wants to be a referee when you see people behaving like that and criticising or diminishing referees in a cruel way, particularly under 18 referees? It’s just unacceptable.

We can have whatever strategies we like around referees and numbers, but they're always going to be constrained by our ability to address social issues.

The strategy itself was constructed with the same methodology as all the other 11, but it's what do we need to do within our control as a member federation to get more referees interested, support them and keep them in the game longer.

[caption id="attachment_25555" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Building and maintaining respect for officials is the number one priority for the Referee Strategy.[/caption]

You mention churn being a key issue, what measures have you implemented so far?

Robert Cavallucci: We're trialling video cameras on the chest with Football Australia, so it'll be interesting to see how that goes.

The intent for doing it is to develop better solutions to some of those issues in a game setting. It’s also to support transitioning to a single point of accountability in a team, such as a captain.

It’s done in other codes, and it always seems to work well. When it comes to officiating, there's some lessons to be learned.

Rugby Union has extraordinary levels of respect being commanded by referees. I don't think there's any code that does it as well as they do in terms of senior, national and international levels. It’s just incredible and that's where we want to get to as a sport.

All it takes is a small minority to ruin any progress we’ve made from an investment or participation point of view. Everyone, whether it be A-League or NPL level, needs to understand what good behaviour looks like.

Gender parity is the theme of the 2023-2026 One Football Strategic Plan, how is that tracking?

Robert Cavallucci: Gender parity is everyone getting involved; including referees, coaches, players, boards, club boards, club committees and FQ committees. It's parity across the board, so it's not exclusive to participation on the field.

We’ve seen some significant success in participation – we’re 44% higher this year in female growth.

We're well on track to hit gender parity in 2027-2028 and we’ve pushed that out slightly only because we've had a lot more growth in the boys than we thought we would. Whilst we hit our targets with the girls, we got more boys than we thought.

Ultimately that brings the curve back together slightly. It's making a lot of progress, as we're about 69% for boys now. Only a couple of years ago, we were at ratios of 80:20 and now it’s moved to 69:31.

We're pulling it back by 4-5 percent each year, so over the next three or four years we absolutely want to be as close to 50:50 as we can and that meets our participation targets as well; particularly in Queensland we'll be in a good spot as a as a code.

We'll not only be the largest male code, but the largest women's sporting code in Queensland. We're not far off it now and in turn netball but we're hunting them down at a great rate of knots.

Our objective is ambitious, but we've absolutely been tracking there the last three years at incredible speed so it's staggering what can be achieved when you do have extremely well thought out documented plans. It's been very carefully constructed over the last three or four years and it presents one of our greatest challenges which is infrastructure, but at the same time it's a challenge that we want and we are solving with government - that was a challenge of our own doing as a sport.

For 20 previous years we did a poor job of working with government of all persuasions and didn’t articulate the needs of football. We never had the confidence to tell the football story in Queensland or Australia for that matter and we always pushed ourselves down the ranks, and I don't know why. Maybe because we were embarrassed about the disarray of the governance that the game was in, or the administration, and didn’t think we had the right to stand up and be counted in years gone by.

We are a massive global sport and the biggest in Queensland & Australia. We're the fastest growing and have global events such as World Cups and Olympics. Which part of any of that story should we not be overwhelmingly proud and feel like we've got every right to take our place as the most dominant code in Australia?

It's just unbelievable that we haven't had the leaders who felt that way and absolutely by design say football's not ready to do that yet.

If you don't tell people who you are, everyone else will say who you are and that's the football story over the last 20 years.

My aim is to reposition that which has occurred over the last three or four years, as we have an excellent relationship with government and communicate with them weekly; we've had some massive outcomes in a funding shift, but we've still got a long way to. From where we started, the difference is staggering.

[caption id="attachment_25554" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Gender parity targets are promoting the game in Queensland to be inclusive for all.[/caption]

What has been observed in participation rates post men's and women's World Cups?

Robert Cavallucci: The important thing to recognise is football doesn't want anything that it doesn't deserve based on its representation in the community. Any government funding, no matter what it is, should be based on community need.

If there's a community need from a football perspective, then that needs to be addressed; it’s not like we want something that is over and above, it's just meeting some minimum basic standards of what the community needs to be active and healthy.

What I think often gets lost is the way that some within the game put that argument forward that they give the impression that they're entitled to things over and above what other sports have been getting.

Other sports have just done a better job historically at demonstrating their needs, whereas we've done a bad job and we're not patient enough to know the turnaround will take time and no one wants to wait.

As a sport, we shouldn’t be asking for the world, but there is a need and its data-driven need for the community. Other sports have gotten away with socialising their costs and privatising their profits for the last 20 years, which has allowed them to be in a very strong position of their professional game, and that has never been afforded to football.

I see the football community being annoyed that other massive codes with billion-dollar incomes have had the bulk of their cost base for infrastructure paid by the public taxpayer, which has allowed them to be in a position of strength at a professional level.

No one plays those sports at a community level, but at a professional level where it's privately owned, they've done a very good job of socialising their costs. And that provides a huge advantage at that level of the game that we see the A-League suffering the consequences from because of the absence of relevant infrastructure.

It's going to be a very volatile next 10 years as we work through that. I'm not saying that football should be funded by the taxpayer at all, but there's got to be a better share of reasonable outcomes from governments of all persuasions at all levels.

[caption id="attachment_25552" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Infrastructure is one of the key challenges that Football Queensland are addressing.[/caption]

Tell us about the Equaliser campaign and what you’ve seen to date?

Robert Cavallucci: The #EQUALISER State Election campaign is an initiative driven by the need of our Queensland football community. Data gathered by Football Queensland shows that 71% of greenspaces and football fields across the state suffer from inadequate drainage and only 42% of fields with lighting meet minimum playing and safety standards. These statistics highlight just a few key areas of infrastructure that have suffered from lack of investment and are now holding football in Queensland back from thriving.

With the state election approaching in October, the timing of the #EQUALISER initiative couldn't be more crucial. We’ve gathered survey responses from more than 6,000 members of the Queensland football community and over 76% of respondents indicated that their voting preferences could be swayed by political candidates' commitments to investing in football clubs.

It is with this information that FQ is driving the #EQUALISER campaign, engaging in conversations with government officials to advocate for greater investment that will ensure safe and accessible green spaces for the more than 300,000 football participants across the state, both now and into the future.

[caption id="attachment_25551" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] The Equaliser campaign is designed to collate the needs and requirements of the football community.[/caption]

You’ve been working closely with Brisbane Roar; do they relay some of their challenges?

Robert Cavallucci: We’ve got a great working relationship now with the Roar and it's how it should be. About 10-15 years ago it was there but not really and then it just descended quite badly in recent years. Since I've been at Football Queensland and since Kaz Patafta and Zac Anderson have been at the Roar, we're all had a similar mindset about uniting the game and coming up with the best way of making that happen. That means not everyone has to do everything and we'd look at each other's strengths and what we're investing in.

We address what we want out of it and figure out strategies. For example, supporting academies which makes sense for Football Queensland to do.

Instead of the Roar having to deliver something not as optimally as they should, we can do it because we're already doing it 10 times bigger.

Together, it means integrated staff, integrated systems and good technical outcomes. We've already got 11 offices across the state, 100 casual staff and thousands of programs. The Roar trying to do similar is disjointed and doesn't deliver outcomes for them or us. It's getting together and saying, how can we do this better together?

We just want to make things simple and streamline it, so the Roar get the outcomes they want – such as more kids at games, more memberships, and greater interest in the A-League.

Those things are all essentially what we want and it's what the Roar wants as well. If there’s good governance and oversight, the game wins.

Ultimately that's a best practice scenario with how we should be looking at this right across the country to change the delivery model of many parts of the game.

[caption id="attachment_25556" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] The 'FQ & Roar Football in the Community’ program was introduced this year.[/caption]

Can you shed some light on the National Second Tier (NST) situation in Queensland?

Rob Cavallucci: I love how people view Football Queensland negatively because clubs in Queensland have common sense; there seems to be this rationale that if a club chooses not to participate in the NST, then there must be something wrong with Football Queensland.

The logic escapes me, it's an egotistical perspective; surely your ego as a club is so extravagant that you can't help but want to be in the NST competition.

There are massive clubs such as the Queensland Lions that say they are not interested.

The reality of the decision-making process for Queensland clubs is how they view success – do they want to sacrifice 100+ teams for one men’s team?

It's a simple, rational decision made by logical people that whilst in principle they would they think it’s great to have a NST and compete at a higher level, the reality is none of them are willing to sacrifice 100 teams and their success just on the basis of one.

There are 10 possible models and there's two or three logical models that could be used to start the league with different permutations from there.

I don't think that the clubs have an interest in the current design based on the risk and the barriers to entry and that's a risk that none of them can process in a way that doesn't expose the club to any form of harm or detriment whether it be financial or otherwise.

Had it been another model or format, then it's quite likely that they would participate for sure. It might appeal to Victorian or New South Wales clubs, but it certainly doesn't appeal to the broader Queensland environment.

You can't understate the experience of the Queensland clubs; we've been doing planes and travel weekly for NPL and otherwise for nearly 10 years.

They know what it's like and they're doing it now. We've got flights every weekend, with clubs going all over the state for Champions League, the Kappa Pro Series, and the Queensland Cup. They're doing that and have done so for a decade.

Therefore, it's not a foreign concept to them and they know what the travel’s like. It’s not the same as Sydney or Melbourne where everyone's within a few kilometres or an hour's travel time.

It’s a conscious decision from Queensland clubs who would rather not, and we shouldn’t be throwing criticism at them, but rather accept the fact that not all clubs want to take this kind of risk.

They aren’t ruling out ever being part of the NST, but when the time is right; Presidents and GMs absolutely love the concept.

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The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) has announced Mitre as the A-Leagues’ new Official Match Ball Partner for the next three seasons, switching over from Nike. 

Mitre, an English sports equipment manufacturer based in Wakefield, has a leading brand with a storied history dating back to 1817. With over 200 years of experience in the game, Mitre has continually delivered high-performance footballs to major leagues and tournaments around the world.

The brand has served as the official ball supplier for many competitions including the English Football Association, the FA Cup, the Australia Cup, and the Australia National Soccer League. 

The new partnership will see Mitre and the A-Leagues launch the official design of the match ball for the 2024/25 season, along with special edition match balls planned for the season. Also, there will be an A-League Final series match ball for both the A-League Men's and Women’s competitions.

For this upcoming season, Mitre will introduce the Ultimax Pro as the official match ball of the A-Leagues. The Ultimax Pro is an iconic and much-loved Mitre football, that utilises contemporary modern styling with cutting-edge football technology to deliver exceptional performance.

A-Leagues Chief Commercial Officer Ned Negus commented on Mitre being welcomed as Official Match Ball Partner:

“Mitre is such a historic brand with strong football credibility, so they’re the perfect partner to deliver our official Isuzu UTE A-League Men and Liberty A-League Women match balls,” he said in a media statement on the A-Leagues website. 

“At a time when A-Leagues is putting football and fans first, Mitre is best placed to deliver a uniquely designed range of Ultimax Pro official match balls and a broad retail range offering more fans the opportunity to engage with A-Leagues and football.”

Mitre Brand Director, Simon Rowe, expressed his excitement about the three-year partnership and Mitre’s contribution to the A-Leagues:

“We’re thrilled to kick off our partnership with the Australian Professional Leagues. Our top-level Mitre Ultimax Pro is the perfect ball for the A-League, built for elite players and delivering ultimate power, accuracy, and on-pitch performance,” he added via A-Leagues website. 

“Globally, Mitre continues to lead the way in ball development and technology. We are excited to partner with the pinnacle of professional football in Australia and New Zealand. Core to our brand values is providing balls for all levels of the game so we’re delighted to offer the supporting replica and training range so all fans and players can play like pros.” 

Mitre Australia’s Gerrard Woods, added about the new partnership:

“We are delighted to support the A-Leagues as they embark on their new season. Our footballs have been tested at the highest levels of the game, and we are confident that they will contribute to the dynamic and engaging football that the A-Leagues are known for,” he said in a statement via the A-Leagues website. 

Mitre will also offer four replica variations inspired by the Ultimax Pro, catering to different skill levels and price points, making footballs accessible for all.

These variations will be launched in late August and will be available at leading sporting retailers around Australia, which will enable fans and players to experience the look and feel of the new ball designs for this upcoming A-Leagues season.

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Perth Glory have confirmed a two-year extension to its major partnership with Mexican restaurant chain, Zambrero.

The partnership started last year with the Mexican food chain receiving prominent signage, digital and social assets for the 2023/24 season.

This time around the sponsorship will include those same benefits with additional game day sponsorship, signage and activation opportunities for the next two seasons as well as continuing as the presenting rights partner of the club’s Community Program.

With this extension, the Zambrero logo will appear on the sleeve of the playing, training and travel shirts worn by the club’s A-League Men’s and A-League Women’s teams, on top of continuing as the front of shorts sponsor for the PGFC Academy squads.

Zambrero has become one of the more popular go-to options in the quick-service restaurant industry both domestically and internationally, with the brand now operating 294 restaurants worldwide across Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, USA and New Zealand.

The franchise also has a focus on giving back to the community with their Zambrero’s Plate 4 Plate initiative. Across the campaign, the company has provided over 80 million meals for people in need through their partnership with the international food relief agency, Rise Against Hunger as well as The Love Mercy Foundation and locally through Foodbank Australia who are also partners with the club.

Perth Glory CEO Anthony Radich expressed his excitement at the extension of another major partner.

“We are delighted to be continuing our association with Zambrero and I’m very grateful for their loyalty and highly valued support of our football club,” Radich said in a statement.

“Zambrero are a strong, reputable and fast-growing brand who are led by very proud and passionate people.

“As partners, we’re very committed to helping one another explore opportunities which will enable us to continue to grow and add value and we’re really excited by what the future holds for us both.

“Having a partner with such a strong social conscience and a genuine commitment to its local communities is also very important and we’re very proud to be aligned.”

Zambrero Head of Marketing, Jade Clark spoke on the impact this partnership will have on the Glory community.

“At Zambrero, we are passionate about community-driven initiatives,” Clark added via media release.

“This partnership allows us to support Perth Glory FC’s Community Programs, enabling us to create a positive impact locally.

“We have recently opened our 60th restaurant in Western Australia, so are well established in the community there and are looking forward to engaging with the passionate Perth football fans in the upcoming season.”

This partnership continues their alignment on giving back to the community, and also provides fantastic financial support for the Glory going into an important 2024/25 season that kicks off in October.

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The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) have confirmed the return of Unite Round to the A-Leagues for the 2024/25 season with some changes from the first edition.

The A-League's 'ultimate away day' utilises the same idea as the AFL and NRL with 'Gather Round' and 'Magic Round' respectively, where one round for both men's and women's leagues will all be played in one city.

The second instalment of Unite Round will be once again hosted in New South Wales and will now start on 22 November and conclude on 24 November, instead of taking place in January.

The six games from each league will be split into three double headers throughout the weekend. All of the men's games will be played at Allianz Stadium whereas the women's games will be played at Leichhardt Oval. However, Commbank Stadium will not be a featured venue, unlike last season.

Due to the inception of Auckland FC into the A-League Men, there will be an uneven number of teams in the league and therefore each club must serve a bye each weekend. The bye will fall onto Melbourne City during Unite Round, but their women's side will still play that weekend.

The APL seems to be satisfied to give it another shot, but it still raises many questions about what has been done to entice fans to make the journey to New South Wales and what improvements have been implemented to make this round sustainable for future seasons.

Last year's fixtures showcased many high-scoring games, with four out of the six men's games during Unite Round having five or more goals scored- with Adelaide United's Hiroshi Ibuski and Macarthur FC's Ulises Dávila both scoring hat-tricks during the weekend.

However, crowd numbers were quite low given the stadiums where these games were being played. To provide context, Leichhardt Oval, Commbank Stadium and Allianz Stadium have a venue capacity of 20,000, 30,000 and 42,500 respectively.

A-League Men Unite Round Crowd Numbers:

• Macarthur FC vs Western United at Commbank Stadium: 3,441
• Western Sydney Wanderers vs Melbourne City at Commbank Stadium: 7,117
• Central Coast Mariners vs Melbourne Victory at Allianz Stadium: 8,147
• Sydney FC vs Adelaide United at Allianz Stadium: 11,918
• Brisbane Roar vs Newcastle Jets at Allianz Stadium: 3,948
• Perth Glory vs Wellington Phoenix at Commbank Stadium: 1,632

A-League Women Unite Round Crowd Numbers:

• Melbourne Victory vs Perth Glory at Leichhardt Oval: 1,130
• Wellington Phoenix vs Central Coast Mariners at Leichhardt Oval: 1,938
• Canberra United vs Adelaide United at Leichhardt Oval: 1,183
• Brisbane Roar vs Newcastle Jets at Leichhardt Oval: 1,417
• Western United vs Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium: 4,039
• Western Sydney Wanderers vs Melbourne City at Commbank Stadium: 1,515

For the first time as a way to get more people to travel to New South Wales, full-season members at every club will be given access to complimentary tickets to their club's fixtures at Unite Round. This could potentially see an increase in crowd numbers, but there are still other factors that may steer fans away from travelling.

According to the Unite Round FAQs on the A-Leagues website, the APL is working with a few providers on travel discounts for fans to travel to New South Wales, but at the moment, flights aren't the cheapest if you decide to plan ahead.

The cheapest interstate flights in Australia can range from $200 to $600 depending on where you are travelling from. But when you take into account fans of Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC who may want to travel from New Zealand, the cheapest flights will cost from $400 to $600. Also, fans would need to sort out accommodation and that too is still another expense fans will have to deal with.

The idea to bring Unite Round for a second season enables fans from Australia and New Zealand to come together and celebrate football in one location. The fixtures that have been released should excite all A-League fans as the two New South Wales derbies are being played that weekend.

Taking into consideration the expenses fans have to deal with, it may not be feasible for some fans to enjoy the festivities. However, it's still early days and the APL could potentially sort out ways for fans to make it easier for them to travel.

Considering the league undergoing some financial troubles, they'll be hoping to make the most out of Unite Round and continue it for more future seasons to come.

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Newcastle Jets' new owners, Maverick Sports Partners, have hired Ken Schembri as General Manager of Football and Ben Hawes as General Manager of Commercial, Digital and Marketing for this upcoming season.

The appointment of Schembri and Hawes reaffirms Maverick Sports Partners' intent to invest in high-quality resources, which should excite Newcastle fans for this upcoming season.

Schembri had previously worked with the reigning champions, the Central Coast Mariners, being an essential part of establishing the Central Coast Mariners Football Academy and their Centre of Excellence when he joined in 2014.

Schembri will manage the A-League Men's roster, oversee player performance and development, and handle recruitment for all football departments.

The Mariner's Academy has produced many young and exciting Australian talent including Garang Kuol and Max Balard who have all gone to join clubs in Europe after their time in Gosford. Schembri has most recently played a key role in Central Coast's recent success as Head of Football.

Maverick Sports Partners Director Maurice Bisetto commented about the new additions.

"We are excited to have both Ken and Ben join the Newcastle Jets team. They will be integral to the strategy and direction of the Club’s New Era, providing expertise and support, on and off the pitch," said Bisetto in a club statement.

These two joined the Jets after the club were bought by the Australian company only last month.

Hawes has prior experience in Sponsorship, Marketing and Content roles at the National Rugby League, Sportsbet, BlueBet and Sydney FC.

Hawes will focus on expanding and diversifying the clubs commercial revenue streams which includes growing the sponsorship portfolio. He will also deal with commercialising the club's digital channels as well as implementing new marketing and fan engagement strategies.

Due to these recent moves, Newcastle have the potential to produce exciting Australian talent and grow its brand across the league which will help the club continue to improve both on and off the pitch and ultimately strengthen their stability for future seasons.

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Brisbane Roar confirmed a multi-year deal with Cikers Australia to become the club's new Apparel Partner, leaving behind New Balance who first joined the Roar in 2021-22.

Cikers Australia is an apparel company that offers services to local clubs, schools, universities and organisations with their high quality teamwear manufactured to the very highest standards and competitively priced.

The company currently also partner with A-League Champions Central Coast Mariners and future National Second Division club Wollongong Wolves, offering them both club record multi-year deals.

It's clear Cikers Australia is playing a big role in Australian football on the manufacturing side and will look to strike more deals in the future with CEO Victor Wang claiming it is in their best interest to build a name through the world game down under.

Zac Anderson, Brisbane Roar COO expressed his excitement on the possibilities of this new deal for the club's kit designs in its 20th season.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Cikers Australia. This partnership marks a pivotal step towards taking more control over our Club’s merchandise and retail strategy." Anderson said in a club statement.

"Our collaboration is focused upon delivering products that represent our Club’s great history and connection to Queensland.

"We are committed to excellence, and together with Cikers Australia, we aim to deliver apparel that our players and supporters are proud of.”

The club have promised special, revamped pieces of merchandise to celebrate the club's 20th season competing in the A-League by representing the club's origins in their kit designs.

In 2023, Cikers released a design for the Mariners in their Australia Cup campaign by paying homage to the original Mariners kit of the inaugural 2005/06 season A-League season, and it was met with praise from the fanbase so expect similar in this deal.

Both parties share the same values of growing the game and selecting designs that speak to the history of the club making this a brilliant deal for the Brisbane Roar who have recently struck many good business deals.

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Football Queensland have officially released their vision for a dedicated stadium in Brisbane to be built at the sport's spiritual home in Bowen Hills, according to Brisbane Times' Cameron Atfield.

According to FQ's plans, Perry Park would get its long awaited upgrade becoming a top rectangular stadium with the developments helping increase the capacity between 15,000 and 20,000.

Funding has not yet been secured and the estimated cost of the project will be "up to $200 million."

The stadium plans to host teams from all levels such as the Brisbane Roar's men's and women's teams, as well as community clubs in preparation for Queensland's inevitable involvement in the National Second Tier. FQ suggested it can be multi-use so lower-drawing professional teams like cricket's Brisbane Strikers and rugby's Queensland Reds can use the facility.

On 'The Subs Bench' podcast months ago, Cavallucci spoke in length about the importance of using the historic Perry Park as their next big infrastructure project to enhance the 'Home of Brisbane football.'

He stated that this upgrade was necessary for the sport to advance in the state and shed light on how it would affect all tiers of the football pyramid.

Cavallucci explained the importance of this stadium's upgrade for the potential National Second Tier and expansion teams, with a second Brisbane professional team helping football boom in the state.

The plan to upgrade this stadium, whilst centred around football, also benefits the city and its other sports.

Perry Park's location in the inner city makes it easy to commute to with the train station nearby as well as it being on major road infrastructure. It has all the suitable elements of a top stadium and intertwines with Brisbane's sporting spine (Suncorp and Gabba).

Cavallucci also mentioned that a potential second Brisbane A-League team, in the event of an expansion past Auckland and Canberra, is only possible with the appropriate infrastructure and that this stadium upgrade will "mobilise a broader fanbase."

In the wake of the Olympics in 2032, the government will be considering investing in upgrading their current facilities to accommodate the games, but more focus is on FQ's rampant push to proactively prepare for the NST and a potential A-League expansion.

This news is really exciting for the state and will be vital for their involvement in the future of Australian football, with the city of Brisbane in particular dying for an elite football home.

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Sydney's historic Leichhardt Oval, home to the Sydney FC Women's team, will be receiving a $40 million upgrade to its facilities, ensuring the safety and comfort for competitors and fans into the future.

The $40 million investment will draw on the Inner West Council’s Leichardt Oval Masterplan and includes upgrades such as:

• New female-friendly change rooms.
• Increased seating capacity of 3,000. (20,000 > 23,000)
• A new northern grandstand.

The Commonwealth, State and Local Governments have formed a funding partnership to secure the future of Leichhardt Oval. The Commonwealth is committing $20 million to the project, with the NSW Government and the Inner West Council investing $10 million each towards the upgrade.

Leichhardt Oval required a big investment with the outdated, crumbling infrastructure becoming an issue for tenant teams and their local supporters.

The stadium is on track to host 120 sporting fixtures in 2024, including both men’s and women’s matches across various codes which underpins its importance on local sport in NSW.

Sydney FC Chief Executive Mark Aubrey expressed his excitement for the future of the ground and was also invited to be on the design phase committee of the project.

“It’s great to be involved in the design phase of the upgrade as we continue to build Sydney FC and our Women’s game, and work towards a stable home ground for Sydney FC’s Women,” Aubrey said in an interview.

“Our Women’s crowds last season totalled over 50,000 and our semi-final had 7,000 fans inside the ground which shows there’s a huge appetite for Women’s sport, so this injection of funds is very welcome.”

Sydney FC Captain Natalie Tobin also spoke during the announcement of the upgrade about how this will directly improve the women's game.

“These upgrades are long overdue, and the facilities will help female athletes perform better and increase the growth of our game,” Tobin added in a statement.

“It will help improve the growth of our Women’s game at all levels and increase our ability to impact our local community and girls football.”

Leichhardt Oval has become a hub and home for women's sport hosting the rugby league, cricket and football, and this upgrade is indicative of the long-term commitment by the NSW Government to increase the participation of women and young girls in sport.

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Recent data has come out of Australia’s top leagues for both men's and women's to show a huge increase in support and viewership.

The Isuzu UTE A-League has built on a three-year continuous growth with 1.44 million fans attending the 2023-24 season. The highest number since the 2018-19 season.

This has resulted in a 33% increase in club memberships and a 36% increase in consideration for purchasing membership.

This has also followed a trend of increasing interest in the younger age group with 18-25 marking a 38% increase in fan interest.

This is evident that there is growth in support of the sport and investors and stakeholders should consider this positive data.

The final series is a prime example with the highest numbers of fans since 2009-10 with 138,000 attending. Also, on Channel 10 alone, 1.2 million people watched the finals.

The digital and broadcast viewership has also indicated a year-by-year growth with a 53% increase in Paramount+ viewership and a 16% increase in free-to-air viewership.

This comes in unison with social media which has developed staggeringly the most. On the social and digital channels, there were 530 million video views up 210%, 1.9 million followers which reached a 44% increase and 1.2 billion impressions which is up a significant 70% from last season.

These results indicate that a strong digital and social media presence is key for the A-League's popularity.

Not just with the fans and supporters the league itself crossed some milestones with record transfer fees and 3.92 goals a game (most in any league worldwide).

Also, it continues to be a league that supports the Australian footballing system and future stars with 15 A-League players called up to the Socceroos squad and a 46% increase in minutes for under 23 players.

This proves the league is not only still supporting the growth and opportunity for young Australian players, but also continues to be expanding and competitive, which are key goals to achieve for any footballing league, especially one that is continuing to try and develop every season.

The Liberty Women's A-League on the back of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup has shown promising growth in similar sectors as well, indicating that there is a flow-on effect between international support and an embracing of the local national game.

19 players who played in the 2023 Women's FIFA World Cup played in the Liberty A-League, showing worldwide talent presides and is attracted to this league.

The 2023-24 season ended with the highest attendance ever with 312,176 patrons a 123% increase. This goes in hand with the huge 611% increase in club-specific memberships.

There was also the highest attendance of any women's club sports match this season at 11,475.

Broadcasting viewership has also had massive growth. There was a 53% increase in average 10Bold FTA audiences and a 68% increase in 10play minutes viewed. The Grand Final itself got 279,000 views up by 64%.

The social media of the Liberty A-League has followed the trend with a community size increase of 32%, impressions up 64%, engagement increased by 80% and a huge 192% increase in videos viewed.

These numbers are a telling sign that these leagues are growing in popularity and have all the support needed for more future success if they are further invested in and supported with long-term strategies and goals. The fans want to maintain support the game and they need the necessary investment to deliver it.

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Newcastle Jets have confirmed Maverick Sports Partners as the Club's new owners. This ownership, subject to final approval from the APL and Football Australia, will launch a “new era” for the Jets under MSP ownership.

This massive announcement comes not long after Australian Professional Leagues chairman Stephen Conroy failed to guarantee Newcastle’s future only three months ago.

The statement said that Maverick Sports Partners have confirmed an agreement to acquire the Newcastle Jets Football Club and are now deeply focused on implementing their plans to bring long term stability and success to this Club.

The Group lead by experienced sports administrator Maurice Bisetto who played a major part in the establishment of Western United FC in the A-Leagues.

Maverick Sports Group is an Australian sports consortium based out of Wetherhill Park in Sydney's South-West.

Newcastle Jets CEO Shane Mattiske confirmed the significant news.

“Today is a hugely significant day for this Club and this community, as we confirm Maverick Sports Partners as the new owners of the Jets,” said Mattiske in a club statement.

“Over the last three years, we have built a strong foundation for the future of this football club, and it is exciting to be beginning a new era with incoming owners who believe in the opportunity that exists with this Club, with this community and with football as a whole.

“Throughout our process, Maurice Bisetto, the consortium representative, and his partners have demonstrated a deep understanding of football and how to bring success. They also understand this community and their plans are very much aligned with the work that is already underway. I know the Group will bring positive new thinking, new connections and a wealth of experience that will drive the growth of this Club moving forward.

“With this transition to a permanent ownership structure, it is important to acknowledge the support that the outgoing ownership group has provided to the Club over the last three and a half years. These owners believed in the importance of this Club to this community and to the A-Leagues’ competition as a whole.

“They have played a hugely significant role in the history of this Club and on behalf of all fans and stakeholders of the Jets I want to acknowledge the commitment and contribution they have made to us all. Their huge support of this Club will forever be remembered.”

Maverick Sports Partners Director Maurice Bisetto is determined to connect with the Newcastle, Hunter Valley and Northern NSW Community.

“We believe in this Club, the A-Leagues and its players and we’re determined to build success for the Jets and this region,” said Bisetto in a statement.

“We have been impressed by the strength of football here in this region. We know there is a strong historical fanbase and a strong participation base here and we want to bring all of these people together for our Men’s and Women’s games.

“Our team at Maverick Sports Partners are absolutely committed to, and very excited, about the opportunity that exists here at the Newcastle Jets. We see this as the beginning of a new era for the Newcastle Jets and look forward to building a truly great Club with the support of this community."

This news is huge for the league and the Jets financially, with the club no longer being a financial responsibility for the four other A-League clubs that funded them (Sydney FC, Western Sydney, Western United and Wellington Phoenix).

The Jets can easily recruit players and rebuild to become a stronger unit on the field whilst securing stability off it, and the foundation A-League club with a healthy fanbase and great location can continue to exist.

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Paramount+ have released impressive numbers regarding how the A-League performed in the Grand Final digitally and on broadcast TV.

The A-League Men 2024 Grand Final reached 1.12 million Australians with audiences up 12% year-on-year.

It broke the previous record as the most-watched match on 10 and 10 Play and was very popular with the 16-39 age group, with it being the #2 program of the night.

The A-League Men’s and Women’s 2023/24 season reached a combined 5.72 million Australians across Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+ which highlights the impact the new digital broadcast has.

The 2023/24 A-League Men’s season was up 16% on broadcast TV, 33% on 10 Play and 53% on Paramount+.

The Liberty A-League Women’s audiences grew 114% on 10 Play and 125% on Paramount+.

The A-League All Stars Men vs. Newcastle United, and A-League All Stars Women vs. Arsenal Women matches reached 557,000 Australians on 10.

Paramount Australia Sports Production Director Adam Cush said via media release:

“As the Home of Australian Football, Paramount is committed to our partnership with the APL and the growth of the A-Leagues.

“The Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s 2024 Grand Final was a testament to this dedication, drawing unprecedented viewership numbers and showcasing the power of football in Australia. It’s been a phenomenal season of action across Network 10, 10 Play, and Paramount+ and we can’t wait to do it again next season for the 20th anniversary of the league.”

Nick Bower, Paramount Australia's General Manager of Ad Sales, explained the broadcast success of the season and specifically the Grand Final.

“The incredible passion exhibited by the Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne Victory, along with the record number of fans at Industree Group Stadium and the biggest ever audiences watching at home, highlight everything that makes football in this country extraordinary,” Bower added in a statement.

“We extend our gratitude to our partners and clients for their support and enthusiasm, as they too benefited from the impressive audiences this thrilling final series attracted.”

Commenting on the Grand Final and the 2023/24 season gone, A-Leagues Commissioner Nick Garcia described the success of the finals series and what the future has in store for the league.

“It’s been an incredible finals series with sold out crowds, record TV viewers and fantastic football, and what a way to cap it off with the highest ever Industree Group Stadium crowd and history being made on the pitch,” Garcia added via media release.

“As the curtain falls on an exciting season, we would like to thank our fantastic fans who showed up week in week out, contributing to an atmosphere that sets our game apart from the rest. We now look forward to what will be the 20th anniversary of the Isuzu UTE A-League Men and another phenomenal season of A-Leagues action.”

Digitally, the A-League is seemingly popular, with it being named the second most engaging sport by YouGov in 2023. Specifically the 18-34 age range in that study were by far the most engaged, insisting there is a future audience for the league.

The future of Paramount+, 10 and 10 Play past 2026 is still up in the air, but the numbers are encouraging, and the A-League finals series provided an insight into there being interest in the local game for a feasible future.

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Western Sydney Wanderers announced a partnership with MKJ Projects to sponsor the Club’s Pre-Academy Development Program at Wanderers Football Park.

MKJ Projects will be presented on the front-of-shirt, in a program designed to advance the skills of 6 to 12 year old players, with the program open to both boys and girls wanting to develop their football skills under the guidance of the Western Sydney Wanderers Academy coaches.

The program aims to build on the skills that players already possess, while teaching them new skills and techniques to improve their game based on the Club’s highly regarded coaching curriculum.

MKJ Projects are a building and renovation company based in Sydney, that specialise in ensuring quality and affordable building options are available.

The company sponsors the Penrith Panthers in the NRL and are now moving towards football with the vision to improve the grassroots game in Western Sydney by helping out this program.

Western Sydney Wanderers CEO Scott Hudson thanked MKJ Projects for their support of the expanding program.

“We would like to thank Michael and his team for their support of our ever-expanding Pre-Academy Development Program which has gone from strength to strength since launching,” Hudson said in a statement.

“It the opportunity for youngsters from all over Western Sydney to train in a safe and enjoyable environment, as well as being mentored from highly qualified Academy coaches.”

MKJ Projects Managing Director & Founder Michael Jones discussed the company’s goal to help support and improve the pathway program for the Wanderers.

“MKJ Projects are thrilled to be part of the Western Sydney Wanderers community,” Jones added via media release.

“MKJ Projects are passionate around grassroots football and are excited to be a part of developing the next generation of Socceroos and Matildas.”

The Wanderers are a leader in academy programs in the country, with all ages, socio-economic groups and genders accompanied in a bid to follow in the footsteps of Adelaide United and the Mariners who have made a big profit off academy players.

Both companies have visions of excellence and quality which will help them develop an academy system that is currently producing fantastic talent.

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Western Sydney Wanderers have launched a number of new programs and activities as part of their ongoing commitment to celebrate and growing the women’s game as part of Female Football Week.

The club have confirmed the launch of their first Girls Only Pre-Academy Development Program designed to advance the skills of players while teaching new skills and techniques to improve their game based on the club’s highly regarded coaching curriculum.

The Girls Only Pre-Academy Development Program will be led by Wanderers community coaching staff under the guidance of Head of Women’s Football Tom Sermanni and Liberty A-League head coach Robbie Hooker.

It is an extension of the Future Wander Women Program that launched in 2021 which gives 100 participants up to u18's a free program which runs as a 20-week block across Terms 2 and 3 of the calendar year.

On top of both initiatives, the Wanderers will also be re-opening registrations for their FREE Girls Only Schools Clinics which engages students through football to provide them with a positive experience.

Wanderers have been vocal about their commitment to making football accessible to all schools and students in the Western Sydney region.

Female Football Week also sees the club's FREE Active Mum's Program return, which is designed to encourage all women to participate in basic football skill activities in a social and supportive environment.

Active Mums sessions are run at convenient times for parents, in parallel with junior training sessions held at Wanderers Football Park.

Western Sydney Wanderers CEO Scott Hudson described the benefits of the Wanderers Female Football Week celebrations and programs for the local community.

“We are very proud to have such an expansive Women’s football program at both a grassroots and elite level,” Hudson said in a club statement.

“Female Football Week is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the role that so many women play in football at all levels.

“We are delighted that we can not only play a role in the celebrations, but also make a real difference to supporting the growth of the women’s game with a number for initiatives and programs.”

The Wanderers are leading the charge in the A-Leagues regarding giving girls and women the opportunity to train with quality coaches and develop their skills whilst keeping it completely free of charge.

It's a simple but brilliant program that marks another step for the Wanderers in the female football development space to actively engage, develop and support aspiring young players from the Western Sydney region.

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Canberra United have welcomed the news of important funding from the ACT Government to help towards securing the future of the club for Season 17.

The ACT Government confirmed that they would be funding Canberra United with an additional one-off contribution of $200,000, in association with their annual subsidy of $250,000.

In March, Capital Football revealed they needed more investment to continue operating the team and that they recorded costs of $2.5m over the past two years.

ACT Minister for Sport and Recreation Yvette Berry said the additional funding provides the team and its partners certainty about next season.

Capital Football remain the only football association to operate an A-League team and chief executive Samantha Farrow said she only wants to run the club for one more season before handing it over to new investors that they have been in contact with for a while.

Whilst Canberra have pushed to also collect an important A-League's men's licence for a team in the capital, the negotiations remain unresolved, and the addition of Auckland FC don't make it any easier.

The club were grateful for the football community's fantastic support throughout their hard-fought campaign to save the club after fears of them going under in 2024.

"We thank the football community for supporting Canberra United through the ‘Save Canberra United’ fundraising campaign, and that, coupled with this generous contribution from the Government, certainly helps the club in our immediate requirements, but we still have some shortfall to cover costs for the new season," the club said in a recent statement.

"Having said that, the Directors of the Capital Football Board have agreed to field a team in Season 17, and we look forward to working with Government, fans, and commercial, to give the club every opportunity going forward."

Whilst the issue hasn't been fully resolved, this is fantastic news for the league and Capital Football who have been given a lifeline by the ACT government.

For the club it's about building off this to hopefully field a more professional and competitive side in future years whilst focusing on financial stability during a time of growth for the league.

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Wellington Phoenix confirm that the club have renewed their partnership with the club’s long-standing IT partner, Layer3.

Layer3 specialises in remote work, cloud tools and a modern workplace approach to grow client’s business.

Layer3 manages the IT environments for organisations of all sizes across New Zealand with a focus on strategy-first IT and employee experience.

As part of this sponsorship renewal the company will continue to provide the club with security, storage and strategic IT solutions.

It's a two-year extension that will see the NZ-based company support both the men's and women's teams and have both parties pass the 5 year mark of the collaboration.

Phoenix general manager David Dome described the great relationship between the two organisations and the practicality of Layer3’s services to the club.

“We’re delighted to be continuing our partnership with Layer3,” he said in a statement.

“The whole team at Layer3 are great supporters of the Wellington Phoenix and this extends far beyond IT services.

“Our club is expanding and having state of the art online security, at home or on the road, is imperative for our operations.

“The Phoenix will now be protected literally anywhere in the world.”

Hayden Kirk, Layer3 director shared the same sentiment and expressed excitement about the renewal.

“Layer3 is very excited to reinvest in our partnership with the Phoenix,” Kirk said in a statement.

“Helping the club take their security to the next level with world class, 24/7 protection anywhere in the world is an important step forward.”

Late last year, Layer3 launched a new cloud-based security system with which the Phoenix have since adopted. It gives the club access to services like Cloud Firewall and 24/7 Threat Response, which previously weren’t accessible for small and medium sized businesses in New Zealand.

Layer3 were also made the official matchday partner for the men’s final round A-League match against Macarthur FC at Sky Stadium and will continue their support during a massive final series for the club.

It is always fantastic to see A-League clubs renew partnerships with practical corporate sponsors that benefit the club and Wellington Phoenix continue their strong corporate presence that has been growing rapidly in recent years.

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As the A-League Women's Grand Final approaches and season comes to an end, it is a time to reflect on a season of incredible growth and broken records.

Similarly to the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) post-2015 Women's World Cup, there was a popularity boost that translated into increased attendances and revenue for the league.

However, as the NWSL continued to rapidly develop, it seems as if the Liberty A-League struggled to consistently grow after a fantastic first round showing that involved a record-breaking 11,471 crowd for the Sydney Derby.

In the top 10 attendances of the regular season, eight feature games played before the new year despite the Matildas set to sell out a 14th consecutive home match before the Olympics commence in July.

The Liberty A-League crowd average is a little over 2,200 per match, which is a great benchmark for future growth but doesn't do the participation and momentum justice.

The NWSL is a great case study to look at, with the league being formed only 12 years ago in 2012 and its first season started in the April of 2013.

In its formative years, the NWSL averaged an attendance 4,270, with a high of 17,619. A decent foundation but plenty of room to improve in the world's biggest sporting market.

It wasn't until the 2015 season where the league was forced into a shortened schedule and some early-season roster instability due to the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada.

The World Cup, which was won emphatically by the USWNT also provided invaluable exposure to the NWSL, which was credited with boosting attendance numbers across the league.

Instantly, teams such as Seattle and Washington who averaged 3,500 crowds per game were selling upwards of 6,000 to their next home game, an immediate resurgence.

So what did the NWSL do to fast-track growth using the World Cup?

Ticket prices

The NWSL, immediately after the 2015 Women’s World Cup pledged to keep the ticket prices consistent within teams, as it sat at $10-$15 USD (AUD $15-$23) across the league.

It was extremely cheap in a saturated and quite expensive US Sports market that allowed the league to use it as a point of difference.

It's a simple solution that Melbourne City coach Dario Vidosic hinted at for this weekend's Grand Final in his recent press conference.

Vidosic claimed that "If it was up to him, everyone would be let in for free for Saturday's final."

This is simply to create an exciting atmosphere that legitimises the league's biggest game of the year on a national stage.

Breakaway from Men's competition

NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman made an extremely interesting point about the NWSL being its own entity.

Speaking to reporters at the Financial Times' Business of Football summit in London, Berman said the "superpower" of the NWSL was its "independence" - notably from men's clubs and leagues, which is not the case in Europe or Australia.

It certainly isn't an overnight fix by any means but allowing the A-League Women's to run separately from the A-League Men's, even if it is just ownership could provide a difference that attracts more fans.

Maintaining local star players

Even in it's infancy, the NWSL were able to show off USWNT stars like Lynn Williams, Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan during their 'Golden Era.'

It collectively brought in more fans to the stands and increased the league's exposure in the mainstream media.

It certainly isn't as easy as that when the prospect of playing for more money and exposure in the US or Europe is a possibility now, but Cortnee Vine provides a great example of a star Matilda willing to be the face of the league to inspire young girls.

If the league are able to keep hold of exciting prospects like Daniela Galic or legends like Michelle Heyman for a few years, it would benefit the league greatly as an entertainment product.

Providing a great fan experience

There was an onus on the NWSL clubs and the league itself to make sure matchdays are an experience that brings fans back.

Two clubs in particular Angel City and San Diego Wave fans host tailgates pre-game near the stadium for anyone to join on top of other activations inside the stadium to connect fans closer to the team.

The WSW Women's team are a fantastic example of an effort to build support, with their Wander Women program, school clinics, fan interactions and their own social media channels helping them grow slowly but surely.

It's time the others follow suit in a collective attempt to maximise exposure.

To conclude, the NWSL used the 2015 World Cup as leverage to strike a quick deal with Fox Sports to broadcast 15 games for the rest of that season, cashing in on the national team's success.

Now it boasts the biggest ever Women's football media deal in history, with the recent four-year $240 million USD ($324 million AUD) domestic broadcast deal across four major streaming and cable partners.

It will be extremely interesting to see the direction the Liberty A-League takes before it renews its broadcast deal in 2026 as it simply cannot waste this golden opportunity it was presented.

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